BlackBerry – Review

A true story taking place in Waterloo, Ontario, BlackBerry is a trip of a real tale. Instant contact, conducting business from anywhere, access to data; all stuff we take for granted, but once was science fiction. BlackBerry tells of a jump in technology, as an early “smart phone” type gadget is brought to market, bringing new featured to your palm. Previously phones were purely call, or call/text, so this new full keyboard-wielding device sets the business world on fire with its access to email and ability to extend the working world.

The core story revolves around a group of young entrepreneurs, Mike Lazaridis (Baruchel) and Doug Fregin (Johnson) who are pitching their new phone to a manufacturing company in the mid-90s. On the flipside, Canadian company deal makers Jim Balsillie (Howerton) and Rick Brock (Donovan) are looking to make a big contract deal, with Jim moving up in the company because of it.

Before Jim’s big meeting, he has a hapless pitch from Mike and Doug’s “Research in Motion” company which offers an idea to create an all-in-one mobile device and put a computer into a phone. They have figured out a way to piggyback off of free and “unused” bandwidth to make a cell phone, email and pager device combined. They call it “Pocket Link.” Jim says his company is a commercial manufacturing firm, and they should instead talk to a venture capitalist, showing them the door. Oh, and get a better name.

Jim then pivots to his big-time deal and meeting, explaining to his audience how to efficiently dodge taxes. Mike watches from afar before getting on the elevator on the way out, interior wheels turning. Destiny’s grasp on these men has only just begun.

As times move ahead and technology creativity shifts, Apple and Microsoft are looking to do more and more. Mike and Doug eventually look to Jim’s energy and knowledge to push Research in Motion to new levels.

BlackBerry is a wonderful study of the rise and fall of a phenomenal phone and company. A small group of geeky engineers goes from an itty-bitty start-up to setting the world on fire, with the help of mega-asshole businessman Jim. He forced his way into Co-CEO status, and knows what must be done to succeed. But then… that whole morally lacking tax dodging personality may lead to issues, right? Nahhh, Jim knows what he is doing, especially with stock options.

As someone who deals with business analysis in his daily life, this movie was super entertaining. Everything was presented very clearly between what the company planned to do, how they did it, and the issues that arose due to the company’s actions and the market’s reaction. It is cause and effect all around. The story definitely is a bit zany, but being based on true events makes it even more crazy, and interesting.

This movie is very well crafted, with great acting in all parts large or small. I think there was even an extended mini-series version of this, but I didn’t catch it.