When I walked out of a screening for Air, I kept thinking I had just seen the sports version of The Big Short (2015). Like Adam McKay's hit, Ben Affleck’s Air has the same ability to completely lock you in from start to finish, present you with compelling characters, and a mission from multiple perspectives. Somehow, both films grip us despite leading to outcomes we already know. You don’t need to be a financial expert to enjoy The Big Short, and you don’t need to be a basketball (or sports) fan to like Air. Here are a few of my biggest takeaways from one of 2023's early standouts.
Know the mission
Air knows what it is and what it is not. It is trying to show how Nike, the global giant we all know, signed the most important basketball player of all time in Michael Jordan and subsequently built one of sport’s most iconic player brands. It is not trying to explain the history of the Air Jordan brand since its inception, nor does it aim to serve as a personal history of Nike boss Phil Knight or a chance at redemption for the real life figures it portrays. We know Nike rakes in billions. We know corporate figures are shady, if not outright devilish. But this movie respects audiences, opting not to make us feel bad for Nike, which was struggling to compete with industry giants like Adidas and Converse when trying to sign Jordan. It could have very easily decided to make us try and feel for a billion-dollar giant. It could have been a lifeless commercial for Nike and Jordan himself (looking at you, Space Jam 2 and Warner Bros). Some critics say the film glorifies capitalistic greed, enrichment of the ultra-wealthy and athlete exploitation (at the collegiate and pro levels). Other than scattered logos, quick glances at shoe prototypes and its place in character conversations, Nike merely serves as a backdrop to the stories of determination, heartbreak and jubilation we’re exposed to throughout its 1hr 52m runtime. Affleck doesn’t say “Look how cool Nike is, how important it is.” Affleck says “Look at the corporate, mentor and familial figures that led to MJ and Nike’s partnership.”
It’s a sports story to its core, with high peaks, tough lows and a final shot to win it all that ultimately brings the entire crowd together in applause. None of this takes place on the hardwood, and that’s why you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy what Air really tells us: success often come from massive risks taken with passionate individuals at the right time.
A team performance
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, Chris Tucker … AND Viola Davis. You’ve seen their faces everywhere in Air’s promotion. I won’t say “UGH. This cast.” But seriously - this group delivers the goods. Good writing + good actors = a good thing. Great actors with a great script can lead to magic. In the hands of this All-Star cast, Alex Convery’s witty and fiery screenplay is given life, serving as a launching pad for the film’s heavyweights.
Affleck’s turn as Phil Knight is almost over the top in a balancing act as a numbers-driven, corporate CEO who also practices mediation and walking around barefoot. Make no mistake - you feel his support for Matt Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro, and it feels real. The duo remind us why they’ve been making movies together for so long. Damon’s Vaccaro is the audience’s guide, the one we experience ups and downs with the most. Somehow, he convinces us to see what he sees in Jordan: greatness. Beyond the Affleck-Damon pairing, the film is littered with A-list performances. Jason Bateman isn’t given a ton to do as Nike marketing guru Rob Strasser, but he blends his subtle comedic genius with softer, more serious moments. His relatively even-keeled Strasser is a perfect third piece behind Damon’s won’t-take-no-for-an-answer Vaccaro and Affleck’s volatility as Knight.
Chris Tucker and Marlon Wayans breathe life into their characters, who could have become afterthoughts in another director/writer’s hands. But Air’s script ensures both actors serve valuable purposes. Tucker’s return to the screen is welcomed in the role of Howard White, where his tenacity and quick wit perfectly pace his many fast-paced conversations with Nike colleagues or Jordan’s family. Hell, even you’ll feel like you’ve known Howard White for a few years thanks to Tucker’s performance. Marlon Wayans’ charm as George Raveling is unmistakable despite limited screen time. Other than Jordan’s mother Deloris, the real-life Raveling played arguably the largest role in convincing the North Carolina star to sign with Nike. Based on Wayans’ interpretation alone, you can see why. As for Chris Messina, he’s a firecracker. He’s explosive. He’s a rock star. He’s probably one of the movie’s most important pieces.
I saved the best for last, but stop me if you’ve heard this before: Viola Davis steals the show every time she appears. As Deloris Jordan, Davis is a quiet force, the true powerbroker in her son’s business dealings with corporate executives. She listens intensely. Her questions are precise. She’s constantly calculating, analyzing and sifting through corporate jargon to see what people really want out of her son. What could have been cheesy inspirational sports lingo is brought to life with vigor and a voice that tells us without having to say it: “Don’t f**k with me, or my family.” Her character’s relationship with Damon’s Vaccaro is one of the film’s highlights. They are the contrasting pulls, a continuing counterbalance, both rolling towards the film’s final decision moment - one that’s worth the wait.
Max nostalgia
It might be 2023, but you already know nostalgia is in right now. Everyone loves older stuff, older looks … that ‘vintage’ feel. Neon colors? Check. Well, Air has it all. It sets the mood with an opening montage of archival footage featuring stalwarts of the decade and a few superb music choices. I’ll keep it simple: if you like the 1980s, you’ll probably enjoy Air.
7.5/10 stars