“Do you recall the phone that everyone had before the iPhone? This is the story of its beginnings and its demise.”
Director Matt Johnson characterizes his movie BlackBerry, co-written with producer Matthew Miller, in this way. The Toronto-based duo narrates the distinctively Canadian story of the world’s pioneer smartphone, the BlackBerry, developed by Waterloo, Ontario-based Research in Motion (RIM).
At the height of its popularity, the BlackBerry was omnipresent – the unrivalled ruler of mobile phones, particularly for professionals. However, within a few short years, the company nearly vanished.
“Elevation Pictures’ production, BlackBerry, is a darkly humorous recounting of the Canadian firm’s rapid yet tumultuous ascent to market supremacy and its tragic descent into obsolescence, detailing how it transformed communication before swiftly declining,” the production company explains.
Canadian actor Jay Baruchel, sporting silver hair, portrays Mike Lazaridis, the mastermind behind BlackBerry, alongside Johnson, who plays his business partner and close friend Douglas Fregin.
The trailer starts with the two co-founders careening into a parking lot in 1996, tardy for a meeting with investor Jim Balsillie, who would ultimately join the company, providing the necessary funding and business acumen to introduce their invention globally.
“Envision a phone and an email device combined into one,” Fregin pitches to Balsillie, portrayed by Glenn Howerton of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame. “There’s a free, wireless internet signal throughout North America, and no one has figured out how to utilize it.”
The preview hints at the tumultuous behind-the-scenes story of the RIM team developing the BlackBerry prototype and its subsequent surge in popularity upon entering the market.
“Elevation Pictures explains that the three men revolutionized how individuals work, communicate, and connect practically overnight. Celebrities, politicians, and businessmen all became addicted to their BlackBerrys.”
“The company’s valuation soars, but within a few years, questionable business practices, personal disputes, and, most perilously, the iPhone jeopardize the company’s remarkable success.”
It’s common knowledge how this narrative concludes. The sleeker, keyboard-free iPhone ultimately outperformed BlackBerry, but the 2023 film BlackBerry argues that significant internal strife within the company also played a role in its downfall.
The movie is based on the bestselling book Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry, authored by Canadian journalists Jacquie McNish, formerly with the Wall Street Journal, and Sean Silcoff of the Globe & Mail.
Miller remarks, “It’s amusing that the film is adapted from a book titled The Rise and Fall of BlackBerry. To me, they represent a tremendous success story. While people may view them as a joke due to their swift collapse, their ascent was just as spectacular. BlackBerry epitomizes the best of what Canada can achieve.”
The movie BlackBerry is a captivating and insightful look into the incredible journey of a Canadian company that left an indelible mark on the world of technology. The film delves into the team dynamics, obstacles, and external forces contributing to the company’s decline.
As the film gains momentum, viewers are reminded of the BlackBerry’s iconic features, such as its physical keyboard and the BBM messenger, which were game-changers at the time. The movie also highlights the importance of innovation and adaptability in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
The film is expected to resonate with audiences who have witnessed the rise and fall of BlackBerry, as well as those who appreciate the importance of persistence and innovation in the face of adversity. With a touch of humour and a deep nostalgia, the film pays tribute to a company that once reigned supreme in smartphones.
BlackBerry is not only a cautionary tale for businesses but also a celebration of a company that, despite its eventual fall, made significant contributions to the mobile communication industry. The film serves as a reminder of the relentless spirit of innovation and the need to adapt to an ever-changing world.
As BlackBerry’s release date approaches, audiences worldwide eagerly anticipate the film, hoping to relive the memories of a bygone era in the mobile phone industry and gain insight into the factors that led to the rise and fall of this once-iconic Canadian company. BlackBerry is set to be an unforgettable cinematic experience, shedding light on a pivotal chapter in the history of modern communication technology.
