Blackberry Movie Review: An Impactful Antithesis Of The Corporate Fairy Tale

The creation of the BlackBerry phones was driven by a visionary idea that aimed to integrate paging, email, texting, and phone functions into a single device. This concept was ahead of its time, surpassing other cell phone manufacturers in terms of combining the technologies. The individuals behind the idea, Mike Lazaridis and Douglas E. Fregin (of Research In Motion, or RIM), initially faced multiple challenges as they lacked the necessary financial resources and sales expertise to promote their pitch. But very soon they created a brand that went on to control nearly 43% of the market for mobile phones. The Blackberry movie thus depicts the remarkable rise and subsequent downfall of the world's first smart phone, emphasizing on its initial goal of providing a composite identity that streamlined work and catered to the needs of the business class. It shows how the device went on to became more than just a phone until it was no longer wanted.

The BlackBerry phone quickly gained status and became a most sought-after item among the privileged class. However, this coveted position was short-lived as the company faced a series of challenges. Compromises made regarding the original vision of the founders, internal conflicts, attempts to outsmart competitors, the need to stay ahead of the market while adapting to changing times, and negative attention from the Securities Commission, all contributed to the downfall of the corporation. Eventually, these circumstances led to the complete disappearance of the BlackBerry brand.

Among movie goers, there is a great fondness for underdog stories and narratives of humble beginnings leading to great successes. However, it is worth noting that most films tend to focus on ideas that have thrived and continue to be successful, such as in The Social Network or Steve Jobs. There are relatively few films that delve into the stories of ideas that ultimately failed, lost their appeal, or faded away with time. The story of Blackberry falls into this category.

The film provides insights into the reality that Research in Motion (RIM), the company responsible for BlackBerry, despite achieving great heights within the smart phone market, could still experience a decline in its position and influence. When confronted with corporate greed and mismanagement, compromises have to be made and these compromises have the potential to derail even the most innovative and established of all ventures. In this sense, Blackberry is the perfect antithesis of a corporate fairy tale.

It is actually tragic how a group of fun loving, like-minded ace engineers and tech geniuses, who worked in a collective spirit and enjoyed their movie nights together and were also prepared to go above and beyond for the success of their innovation, which is about combining various ideas, untiringly fell apart. And that’s the irony the movie sticks to. The entire movie has a sense of impending doom and a claustrophobic feel. There’s always something at risk. Co-CEO Jim Balsillie, who helped shape the company's identity and early success, mortgaged his home to fund the venture. When times were tough, Mike Lazaridis, who detested outsourcing manufacturing to China, was forced to compromise his ideals in favour of cheap labour. And which is the largest of all? When Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone in 2007, the very concept of keypad phones were challenged by that large touch screen.

The quick success and even quicker downfall is cleverly scored by writer-director Matt Johnson, who adapted the script from a book by Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff. Shot in a stylistic approach that is similar to Adam Mckay at work, Johnson keeps the high-energy of the film alive with timed cuts and shaky and random camera movements. One scene unfolds in a diner where three characters engage in a conversation, and the perspective of the shot places us behind the shoulder of a bartender, allowing us to observe the interaction like a real time spectator inside the frame.

Blackberry is a fast-paced corporate thriller that swiftly transitions from one office to another, from one corporate head to another, and from one issue to another. And the constant succession of challenges leaves no room for a pause, a moment respite, or an acknowledgment of its success and achievements. It is because everything, including the rise and the fall, happened so fast. In this way, the film effectively captures the relentless nature of the phone brand's journey, where time seems to blur as the narrative unfolds.

And this aspect can be also seen as a drawback of the film, as it limits the audience's understanding of the characters compared to the depth of knowledge we gain about the brand's journey. The only character that the film appears to have focused on is Jim Balsillie, who is superbly portrayed by Glenn Howerton. He is the movie's lone pace-setter as the foul-mouthed and a perpetually irate version of a wolf of Wall Street. It is through his dominating portrayal that the film maintains its momentum and captivates the audience.

While the film takes some creative liberties, it manages to strike a balance between being informative and entertaining. And despite its low budget, the production value and the fake wigs of the characters doesn't hinder its ability to engage the audience and deliver an enjoyable viewing experience.