285. BlackBerry; movie review

 

BLACKBERRY

Cert 15

120 mins

BBFC advice: Contains strong language

In the past, kids used to communicate through MSN, former schoolmates reached out via Friends Reunited and Blackberries were considered cutting-edge technology. 

However, it's easy to overlook the predecessors of today's biggest revenue-generating companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Apple. 

The origins of some of these companies were Archimedes moments - strokes of genius from individuals immersed in IT. 

For instance, in March 1984, Research In Motion Limited was established by best friends Mike Lazaridis (Jay Baruchel) and Douglas Fregin (Matt Johnson). 

Johnson's movie, BlackBerry, focuses on the company's rapid ascent and eventual downfall.

The story begins with Lazaridis and Fregin seeking partnerships for their innovative mobile phone. 

They are portrayed as opposites - Lazaridis is a socially awkward tech prodigy, while  Fregin is a loud and unrefined designer who values having a good time over financial success. 

As a result, they require someone with more tenacity to take the company to the next level. They come in the shape of ruthless marketing expert Jim Balsillie, played with gusto by Glenn Howerton.

The story of BlackBerry is fascinating, but it is primarily a tech-driven tale. 

Thus, Johnson seems to have exaggerated the real-life characters to make his movie more engaging. 

For instance, he portrays Fregin wearing a headband like John McEnroe and behaving like him. In reality, he is bald and never seeks attention. 

He also amplifies Lazaridis's uncertainties, while Balsillie is depicted as a bullying freak. 

Sadly, this focus on the characters distracts from the drama of how the company had to evolve from a team of ten to a corporation of 10,000, became caught up in a financial scandal, and eventually faced the danger of being outrun by Apple.

Sadly, the complex and compelling history becomes lost in the hullabaloo.

That's not to say BlackBerry is a bad film. It is interesting and well-acted but could have been so much better.

Reasons to watch: A modern-day rise and fall tale

Reasons to avoid: Exaggerated characters

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? In 2016, BackBerry transitioned to a cybersecurity enterprise software and services company under CEO John S. Chen.  Its products are used by various businesses, car manufacturers, and government agencies to prevent hacking and ransomware attacks.

The final word. Matt Johnson: "This thing that the film is getting at, which is that BlackBerry seemed to get distracted by the threat of something new, and they tried to pivot quickly toward it in making the BlackBerry Storm. And in some ways, that very shortsighted." The Verge

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