Learn about the original smartphone dominator with BlackBerry. The biographical drama explores the story of how the iconic tech company rose to success with founder Mike Lazaridis and hungry businessman Jim Balsillie, as well as its infamous fall in the wake of the iPhone’s arrival.
Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton lead the ensemble cast of BlackBerry alongside Matt Johnson, who also co-wrote and directs the film, Cary Elwes, Saul Rubinek, Michael Ironside, Rich Sommer, and SungWon Cho. Bringing a dark sense of humor and chaotic energy to the former tech giant, the film is a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the industry’s ultimate underdog story.
Ahead of the film’s release, Screen Rant spoke exclusively with stars Jay Baruchel and Glenn Howerton to discuss BlackBerry, diving further into dramatic territory than some audiences are used to, and the similarities and differences between previous characters.
Jay Baruchel & Glenn Howerton Talk BlackBerry
Screen Rant: I’m very excited to chat with you both for BlackBerry. Whenever you hear tech biopic, obviously everybody’s mind goes to The Social Network, but this really stands apart from the rest. Jay, one of the things I love about this film is it gives you the opportunity to show the dramatic range. What was it like to further explore this side of things that some people may not know you both for?
Jay Baruchel: Yeah, so it’s not new for us, I guess, it wouldn’t be new for Glenn and me. I don’t know how to answer it, because I know exactly the question you’re asking, and I don’t want to give a sort of knee-jerk sounding or dismissive-sounding response, but — and then I say but [chuckles] — the fact is that the gig is kind of the same no matter what. You try to be punctual, know your f—-ng lines, don’t f–k up your piece, and don’t just make it all about you and w–k off on camera and make every line delivery a f—-ng guitar solo, and be as authentic to the story, and as much of a steward of the narrative, as you need to be under the guidance of your director.
So, whether or not that’s me going, “I’ve got a c-m stain on my pants!” in She’s Out of My League, or if it’s me wearing a f—-ng crazy white wig in Blackberry, it’s exactly the same s–t, so for me, it’s exhilarating, man. Not that I went to f—-ng theater school, but I don’t think you go to theater school to do c-m stain scenes [Chuckles], you go to theater school to craft out a big Wagnerian f—-ng arc with two wigs, with a big swath of time, and traffic in big-writ, large emotions, so it’s just a blast for me.
Glenn Howerton: Yeah, for me, it’s an opportunity to express a different side of my artistic impulses that I just haven’t been given much of an opportunity to express prior to this. I’ve just been living in the world of comedy, mostly, for the last 20 years, but that was never my intention, it wasn’t what I set out to do as an actor. That being said, I will always work in comedy, because comedy is so fun, it’s just so fun, and it’s enjoyable, I’ve carved out a bit of a niche in that space, so I’ll always do it.
But, wow, what a great opportunity to get to do something totally different, yet still have some of the dark comedy things that I think I’m somewhat known for, but to play it a slightly different way. It’s a variation of it, but yeah, no, it was great, it was such a fun opportunity to do something that felt different.
Your character in this film does feel a lot like Dennis, only if he was actually rich and therefore could be unhinged without consequence. Was that something that you found in the research and in the script really spoke to Jim Balsillie, or was that something that came about just from your take on the character?
Glenn Howerton: I think, if anything, what the characters share is an intense drive to achieve whatever their goal is. I think the difference between Jim and Dennis — there’s a lot of differences between between Jim and Dennis [Chuckles] — but like, what Dennis is trying to achieve at any given moment on Sunny is is often ridiculous and insane, and what Jim is trying to achieve is something that I think is far more relatable and rootable, which is to do something great in business, to sell an extraordinary product. I think it’s just how he goes about things is sometimes quite blustery and big, but what he’s trying to do, I think, is quite admirable.
It is crazy how in the in the world of business, you can have a great goal and still maybe not go about it the right way, and I think this film captures that well.
Glenn Howerton: I think you have to be willing to go about it the way that you truly believe is the only way it’s going to achieve the greatest level of success. I think that is the thing that makes a story like this so compelling, besides the fact that it’s an underdog story, these guys are up against these other giant companies, the giant telecom companies, and the Palm Pilots, and the people that are trying so desperately to squash this company and keep them down.
To have these two f—-ng guys stand so firm against that, I think is highly entertaining and suitable for an audience. Mike is fighting so hard to create a product that stands apart in its class, and that stands apart from any other product that’s been available, and Jim is fighting so hard against the establishment that’s trying to keep him from getting it out there and selling it. To watch these guys against all odds create this $30 billion company, I think is incredibly compelling, and fun to watch, and certainly fun to act.
About BlackBerry
BlackBerry tells the story of Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, the two men that charted the course of the spectacular rise and catastrophic demise of the world’s first smartphone.
