SXSW EXCLUSIVE: The Year of Biopics, 'Tetris', 'Flaymin' Hot', 'Blackberry', 'Air' First Impressions [SXSW 2023]
So much biography packed into a single festival but which will make its own mark on history
Going into the festival this year, there was a general expectation that producers were going to bring their A-games considering the critical success of several films presented last year. By sheer coincidence, four major A-games just so happen to be biopics. But then history aspect of the films seem to be the only thing they have in common as each film has their own wildly different identity that sets it apart from the others. From the story of cellphones and videogames to shoes and spicy snacks, we take a look at the films that made SXSW 2023 the year of Biopics.
BLACKBERRY
Out of all the Biopics presented this year, Blackberry is the most documentary like. Directed by Matt Johnson, the film follows the meteoric rise and hard fall that is the world’s first “smartphone”. The film has a very fly on the wall feel to it as it is filmed almost documentary style and limits the perspectives to only two characters, those two being Jay Baruchel’s Mike Lazaridis and Glenn Howerton’s Jim Balsillie. Both leads put in career best performances with wildly different characters. Baruchel perfectly encapsulates Lazaridis’ journey from meek genius to dangerously prideful CEO while Howerton plays Balsillie as the most irritable man in the world. The two are flanked by performances from Director Matt Johnson, Cary Elwes, and Michael Ironside. Overall the film is solid and interesting look at Obama’s favorite phone that shouldn’t be ignored as it manages to get you hooked from the very first frame.
TETRIS
If the story of Tetris wasn’t documented in actual history you wouldn’t believe it. The story of one of the most successful games in history is as wild and enthralling as the film’s kinetic and graphical style. Director Jon S. Baird has taken the wild true story of the game’s journey to the west and presented it in a way that goes from zero to sixty in twenty seconds and does not let up on the gas for the entire runtime. The film is led by Taron Egerton in what is now up there among the best performances of his career. The combination of the unassuming subject matter with the outlandish story that surrounds it leads to a funny yet tense tone that is as fun as the game is addicting and Egerton plays into the tone perfectly. It seems each supporting character was chosen to play with each side of the tone with Nikita Efremov, Oleg Stefan and Toby Jones playing up the tense side while Roger Allam and Anthony Boyle playing up the comedic side with over the top performances as the media moguls Robert and Kevin Maxwell. The Cold-War era story brings spies, corruption, fraud and a brick-breaking fun ride.
Air
Out of all the Biopics form this year, Air is by far the most ‘Hollywood’. The film has a subject that is larger than life in the birth of one of the most popular and successful shoes in history. Directed by Ben Affleck, is everything you would expect out of a modern Hollywood biopic. From the filming style to the star power, the film is throwing haymakers looking for critical success. None of this is to say that the movie is bad, in fact quite the opposite. The film is a funny, interesting, and tense look at how Nike landed the biggest basketball shoe deal in history. But, among the other Biopics shown this year, Air just lacks the personality of the others. One thing that Air boasts is great performances from an incredibly stacked cast. The ensemble is led by Matt Damon and Jason Bateman but includes Ben Affleck, Chris Tucker, Viola Davis and scene stealers Chris Messina and Matthew Maher. Air will be a success as it is a well made, star-studded Hollywood film but whether it carves out a spot among the biopic best will an uphill battle.
FLAMIN’ HOT
The biggest and most enjoyable surprise of this year has to be Flamin’ Hot. This marks the first feature film for Director Eva Longoria and what a debut it is. The winner of this year’s SXSW Audience Award, the film tells the incredible story of the Janitor that saved Frito-Lay by creating the Flamin’ Hot Cheeto. This may be the most wholesome film of the entire festival as it makes you fall in love with the characters and gets you on their side from the very beginning. The film is led by Jesse Garcia as Richard Montañez in what will now be known as his career defining role and Annie Gonzalez as Judy Montañez who steals your heart and makes you wish you had your own Judy in your life. The entire cast seems to put their very best foot forward for Longoria as we get great supporting performances from veteran actors Tony Shaloub, Dennis Haysbert, Matt Walsh, and Emilio Rivera. The film is unapologetically Latino and gives a realistic yet optimistic look at what is was like for latinos in the 70’s through early 90’s as well as celebrating the heritage. As good as this film is it is hard to believe this is a film from a rookie feature Director but you have to keep in mind that not only is Eva Longoria a celebrated and successful actress, she has a long and successful history as a producer as well. There is no doubt that any audience member will love this film but the bold predication is that the film is now a front runner for best adapted screenplay for the upcoming awards season. This was the most surprising film of the festival and by far and away the best biopic of the year.