I’ve never owned a BlackBerry – though I sold one in another life. My relationship with this phone is therefore almost non-existent. Still, the company’s slow agony after its improbable domination remains sad to me, especially when you consider the employees of Research In Motion (RIM) who went down with the ship.
As Jay Baruchel said during our interview, BlackBerry’s story is tragic. However, the film that director Matt Johnson and his co-screenwriter Matthew Miller made of it borrows more of a comedy tone. An excellent choice!
The story takes place largely in the 1990s and early 2000s. Through its perfectly calibrated concern for authenticity, BlackBerry makes our nostalgic fiber vibrate. Different filters and lenses (Jared Raab), retro technology (Adam Belanger), clothing vintage (Hanna Puley) and the music (Joy Division, Mark Morrison, Moby) combined with the camera and the editing which sometimes approach those of the documentary allow a convincing and sympathetic immersion in this time which will never seem distant to me. Movies Air And Tetrisdespite being set in the 1980s, didn’t do as well with certainly more means.
Exaggerated game, but assumed
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ENTRACT FILMS
Glenn Howerton portrays Jim Balsillie.
Interpretation is the other great strength of BlackBerry. Those who rubbed shoulders with Jim Balsillie assure that he did not have as bad a character as the character in Matt Johnson’s film. However, the version proposed by Glenn Howerton is certainly more entertaining than reality. The intransigence, the impatience, the confidence and the ambition of the businessman make us laugh by their excess, but contribute to maintain a tension which astonishes us by its intensity. Even if we know the end, this roller coaster of successes and failures remains captivating.
Jay Baruchel’s game has a lot to do with it. The Montrealer embodies Mike Lazaridis, the half nerd from BlackBerry. He is so endearing that we wish he would “win” against the monster of capitalism. We tell ourselves that his technological genius should have been enough, and despite the irrationality of our feelings, we cling to the hope that he will triumph. His evolution from timid gifted to somewhat arrogant manager is also fascinating.
In addition to having written and directed the film, Matt Johnson slipped into the skin of Doug Fregin, old friend and associate of Mike Lazaridis. Matthis Wandel, formerly of RIM, indicated in an exciting video analysis of the trailer that we could qualify the character as fictitious so far from the real Doug Fregin he is. Whatever, he is a good counterweight to the introverted Mike, in addition to being the only one capable of expressing his emotions in a healthy way.
Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride, Stranger Things), Michael Ironside (Top Gun, barry) and Rich Sommers (madmen, GLOW) are somewhat underutilized considering their impressive resumes. Do these experienced actors occupy these small roles to contribute to the quality of the film or to give it more credibility with the international public? Canadian stories are rather rare in the cinema…
BlackBerry stretches at the end of the course, but remains a very pleasant film which delights us with its intelligence, its humor and its sincerity.
historical comedy
BlackBerry
Matt Johnson
Starring Jay Baruchel, Glenn Howerton, Matt Johnson
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