BlackBerry (2023)

The critic finds the film hugely entertaining and bittersweet, while noting its sobering point about how quickly cultural obsessions become obsolete. Glenn Howerton’s performance as Jim Balsillie is singled out as outstanding.

Debruge finds the film a fresh, entertaining satire of the rise and fall of BlackBerry. He singles out Glenn Howerton’s ferocious performance as the standout in a terrific ensemble.

Green praises the film as a funny, sharp take on corporate hubris that avoids becoming mean-spirited. She singles out Matt Johnson’s zany direction and comic style as what lifts the story beyond a straightforward account of the phone’s rise and fall.

Strong finds the film entertaining but says it lacks staying power. She singles out Glenn Howerton’s performance as its standout, praising his portrayal of the bullish Jim Balsillie.

The critic finds the true-life rise and fall of BlackBerry compellingly chronicled. The film’s account of the company’s rapid ascent and decline is singled out as especially compelling.

Ide finds the film an intriguing, energetic account of corporate failure that refreshingly avoids the usual success-story arc. She particularly praises Glenn Howerton’s tightly wound performance as Jim Balsillie.

The review calls the film a rollicking Silicon Valley satire. It singles out Glenn Howerton’s performance as Oscar-worthy.

Walsh finds the film a compelling portrait of a company undone by its own shortcuts and shady deals. She especially praises Glenn Howerton’s dazzling, charismatic performance as Jim Balsillie.

The review finds the film succeeds through its heart, humour, and comic performances, despite some stylistic drawbacks. It especially praises Glenn Howerton’s magnetic, ferocious performance as Jim Balsillie.

Barsanti finds the film a rollicking, character-focused comedy that succeeds by keeping its tech-world story grounded. He particularly praises the cast, singling out Glenn Howerton’s blistering rage and Matt Johnson’s comedic performance.

Lane finds the film funny, disheartening, and oddly touching, valuing its account of success turning sour. He singles out the awkward, committed inventors and their joy in building the device.

Ebiri finds BlackBerry entertaining and charming, with its loose comic approach making its historical simplifications work. He especially praises the comic energy among Howerton, Baruchel, and Johnson.

The critic finds the film entertaining and engaging, though it misses some opportunities to land its characters’ fates. He particularly praises Glenn Howerton’s mesmerizing, icy performance as Jim Balsillie.

The standfirst presents the film as a high-energy ride through the rise and fall of the first smartphone. It singles out that rise-and-fall trajectory, but the review’s full verdict is unavailable.

Rooney finds the film uneven but likable, with its workplace comedy more successful than its corporate-thriller descent. He praises the enjoyable character work of Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton, while faulting the haphazard storytelling and missed dramatic momentum.

The accessible page does not expose the critic’s verdict. It also provides no praise or complaint to summarize.

Smith finds the film lively and entertaining, though its narrative loses focus in the second half. He particularly praises Glenn Howerton’s volatile performance as Jim Balsillie.

The critic finds the docudrama thrilling, moving, and highly entertaining. They especially praise Doug as the film’s emotional heart and a reminder of the values lost in the company’s pursuit of success.

Hammond finds the film highly entertaining and ultimately tragic, presenting it as both an underdog story and a cautionary tale. He especially praises Glenn Howerton’s dynamic performance as the forceful businessman Jim Balsillie.

Kermode finds the film energetic and incisive, with director Matt Johnson keeping its chaotic story coherent. She especially praises the editing and visual style for conveying the characters’ instability and the frantic process of invention.

Motamayor finds the film entertaining and often hilarious, praising its lively treatment of the company’s rise and fall. He especially singles out Glenn Howerton’s deranged, forceful performance as Jim Balsillie.

Sinacola praises the film as a hilarious, messy alternative to polished biopics, with Glenn Howerton’s volcanic performance as Jim Balsillie at its center. He also singles out Jay Baruchel’s empathetic portrayal of Mike Lazaridis and the film’s scrappy aesthetic.

The critic finds the film an engaging, well-paced seriocomic cautionary tale, though it runs unnecessarily long. They praise the performances of Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton for capturing the protagonists’ contrasting personalities.

The critic finds BlackBerry an effective, blunt portrait of the company’s rise and fall. She praises how the film makes its technical innovations understandable and Mike Lazaridis’s eventual obsolescence tragic.

The headline presents the film as a boisterous, underdog-focused account of BlackBerry’s rise and fall. It singles out that underdog spirit as the review’s central appeal.

The review finds the film offbeat and ultimately engaging, though it takes too long to find its groove. It praises the performances but faults the blurred tone and the film’s overreliance on hindsight.