BlackBerry Review
Even films for adults now are served in a patina of brand recognition. Tis a sign of the times, unfortunately. However, like everything else in life, there are good and bad versions of these films.
The good (Air) and the bad (House of Gucci). Thankfully, this lived up to the hype and came out as one of the good films. Mainly because it rises above the standard biopic tropes.
Here we get the rise and swift fall of BlackBerry. Directed by Matt Johnson, who has stepped up from making found footage-esque films to a film with a real budget. Though the film is not found footage, it is almost shot as such.
The camera in the beginning is almost peering at Matt, Doug, and Jim as they pitch and yell over the phone, and take board meetings. Much like the early stages of RIM (Research In Motion) where BlackBerry is created.
The camera is shaky, unconfident, and almost scared of what is going to happen. Once the phone takes off and we cut to 10 years in the future, the camera is still peering but less shaky and “Scared”.
It’s observant but confident. Just one of the many examples of Matt Johnson’s confident filmmaking in using technical aspects to help tell the story and show the passage of time.
It’s reminiscent of Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs, using aspect ratios to show the passage of time. Though the other tech-pic film this film will be compared to is The Social Network.
Especially after the trailer dropped, it was fair to compare this to David Fincher’s classic. But after seeing the film, BlackBerry is more than just a Social Network knockoff.
Where Fincher’s film tells the rise of the tech giant. Matt Johnson’s film shows the dangers of hauteur egos. Less of a success story and more a story of failing or rather flailing upward.
This is like watching someone run at full speed while attempting to put their shoes on at the same time. All while Glenn Howerton is screaming at them.
This may sound like an anxiety-inducing nightmare. Instead, it is incredibly gripping. It’s like watching Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems. We know it is not sustainable, but it’s thrilling to watch.
All of it is best capped by Glenn Howerton’s multi-layered fox-like performance. It’s hard to be equal parts scary, angry, and funny. Glenn makes it look so easy.
Maybe it’s all of those years playing Dennis on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. But, making an angry sociopath funny seems to be something only Glenn can do. Which makes this perfect casting.
Not only Glenn but the entire film is wonderfully casted with great Canadian actors seems only fitting as BlackBerry was proudly made in Waterloo. As proudly screamed by Jim Balsillie (Glenn Howerton).
Glenn isn’t the only terrifying presence, Michael Ironside makes every engineer at the RIM office revert to being small children with just a look. Glad to see him back with this and Barry this year.
I don’t think this will have the staying power to get to the Oscar next year, but it would be deserving. Screenplay and Supporting Actor for Glenn Howerton at the least.
Truly, this is the first great film of 2023.
4.5/5 Stars
