BlackBerry poster
Movie

BlackBerry(2023)

ComedyDramaHistory
Directed by Matt Johnson
Runtime 120 min
Written by Matt Johnson, Matthew Miller
IMDb7.2/10

Synopsis

Two mismatched entrepreneurs – egghead innovator Mike Lazaridis and cut-throat businessman Jim Balsillie – joined forces in an endeavour that was to become a worldwide hit in little more than a decade. The story of the meteoric rise and catastrophic demise of the world's first smartphone.

Cast

Jay BaruchelGlenn HowertonMatt JohnsonMichael IronsideCary ElwesSaul RubinekMartin DonovanRich Sommer

Script Structure and Narrative Analysis

Scene Intensity Over Runtime

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Scene-by-scene intensity, act structure, pacing score, and narrative insights.

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Act Structure
3-Act
Scenes
150
Pacing Score
85
Runtime
120 min

Pacing Verdict

The screenplay maintains strong narrative momentum, particularly through its rapid-fire dialogue and efficient scene construction that mirrors the breakneck pace of the tech industry's rise. Act 1's setup is brisk and engaging, while Act 2's montages and cross-cutting between Jim's aggressive salesmanship and Mike's engineering crises create a compelling tension that drives the story forward. The pacing only slightly falters in the final act, where the SEC investigation and Jim's NHL rejection feel somewhat compressed, but the screenplay still manages to land its emotional beats without dragging.

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