Review: Air

On the surface, Air may seem like a dull movie. It’s about shoes. How entertaining could that be? The answer: Exceptionally entertaining.

Directed by Ben Affleck, Air, doesn’t just tell the story of how Michael Jordan got his signature shoes but how he became a household name. This film transports you back to the 80s. Intercut scenes of notable brands constantly bring a sense of nostalgia. Seeing those brands also makes you realize how important marketing is.

Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) was looking for the perfect player to step into Nike’s shoes. He believed Michael Jordan could take the brand to new heights. Unfortunately, Jordan wanted nothing to do with the brand. So what’s the first step to getting a teenager’s attention? Sell the idea to his mother. While Damon may be this film’s star player, Viola Davis is its M.V.P. She goes toe-to-toe with the company and makes them play her game. Through stoic looks and unflinching passion, Davis sells the role with ease.

This film is extremely well-written. It lands perfectly along the comedy/drama line, bringing you laughs while also hitting your heart. The pacing is also perfect. There is never a dull moment, which, again, is impressive. It’s an intriguing story that keeps you invested from start to finish.

One of the film’s best choices was not to show Jordan’s face. Yes, the story is about him, but the funny thing is he wasn’t a key player. This is honestly a film about Jordan’s mother and how she led the charge in his career. It’s also a film about marketing and how one small step could change someone’s life. Sonny’s persistence and his idea to make Jordan a shoe tailored to him are what locked down a deal and created one of the most significant business moves in history. Because a shoe is just a shoe until someone steps into it, but when Jordan stepped into Nike, he became immortal.

This was an exceptionally well-written and well-directed movie that’s wildly entertaining. The performances from the whole cast were spectacular. A massive stand-out is Chris Tucker, who is just a scene-stealer. It’s early in the year, but I can see this getting a lot of Oscar buzz.