Air

Air is a nostalgic slam dunk celebrating the rise of Nike and Michael Jordan. Directed by Ben Affleck, this biographical sports drama takes viewers on a captivating journey into the world of Nike and its pivotal partnership with basketball legend Michael Jordan. Set in the 1980s, the film deftly blends nostalgia, humor and compelling storytelling to deliver an entertaining and heartfelt experience.

The story revolves around Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), a talent scout for Nike who is determined to take the company's basketball division to the next level. Convinced of Michael Jordan's immense potential, Sonny embarks on a mission to recruit the young basketball prodigy and create the iconic Air Jordan shoe. Faced with ruthless agents, budget constraints and skeptical marketing executives, Sonny must navigate a difficult landscape to make his vision a reality.

Air pays homage to the 1980s with its vibrant soundtrack featuring hit songs from the era (Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, The Clash, Cindy Lauper...) and references to iconic cultural elements such as cassette players, VHS tapes and early Macintosh computers. The film captures the essence of an era when Nike was primarily known for its running shoes, and highlights the origins of its famous "Just do it" slogan.

Ben Affleck showcases his prowess as a gifted director in Air, ensuring a well-paced narrative that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Although Ben Affleck also plays Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, it's his deft handling of the script and direction that is most remarkable. He chooses not to reveal Michael Jordan's face, thus accentuating the commodification of the athlete, while Matt Damon delivers a captivating performance as the affable and determined Sonny Vaccaro. It's a pleasure to see these two excellent actors, who left their mark on us in the unforgettable Good Will Hunting (1997)/, in the same film.

The film also excels in its depiction of relationships, in particular the dynamic between Sonny and Phil Knight, Sonny and Michael Jordan's mother Deloris (Viola Davis), and Sonny and his colleague Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman). These relationships make for memorable moments and thought-provoking dialogue, with Strasser uttering the film's winning line: "A shoe is just a shoe until someone puts it on", only to be overshadowed by Deloris Jordan's poignant response: "A shoe is just a shoe until my son puts it on".

Air deftly weaves a story based on true events with fictional elements, creating a coherent and captivating narrative. The screenplay, written by Alex Convery, intelligently constructs each scene, with prefigured elements that elegantly reveal themselves later. All the actors deliver lively, emotional performances, bringing depth and authenticity to their characters.

The production design, costume choices and soundtrack all contribute to the film's immersive experience. The sets and locations transport viewers back to the 1980s, while the carefully selected music adds to the film's energetic atmosphere. However, the film's visual aesthetic could have been more appealing, lacking a certain visual flair. Despite this minor flaw, Air is undeniably entertaining and succeeds in celebrating the rise of Nike and the transformative partnership with Michael Jordan. Affleck's expert direction, combined with an ensemble of talented actors, captures the spirit of enterprise, fair play and respect, creating a nostalgic and inspiring story that resonates with audiences of all generations.

Air is a film that fuses sport, business and nostalgia into a captivating cinematic experience. It tells the remarkable story of how Nike, once overshadowed by its competitors, rose to prominence through its association with basketball superstar Michael Jordan. With its witty script, engaging performances and captivating narrative, Air is a crowd-pleasing ode to the power of dreams, determination and the love of the game.

Air
Directed by Ben Affleck
Written by Alex Convery
Produced by David Ellison, Jesse Sisgold, Jon Weinbach, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Madison Ainley, Jeff Robinov, Peter Guber, Jason Michael Berman
Starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, Viola Davis
Cinematography : Robert Richardson
Edited by William Goldenberg
Production companies : Amazon Studios, Skydance Sports, Artists Equity, Mandalay Pictures
Distributed by Amazon Studios (United States), Warner Bros. Pictures (international)
Release dates : March 18, 2023 (SXSW), April 5, 2023 (United States), may 12, 2023 (France)
Running time : 112 minutes

Viewed on May 12, 2023 (Prime Video)

Mulder's Mark: