Dramatizing the true story of Nike’s partnership with Michael Jordan, “Air” is a 2023 sports biopic written by Alex Convery and directed by Ben Affleck. The film stars Matt Damon, Affleck, Chris Messina, Jason Bateman, Damian Delano Young and Viola Davis. It is currently streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime.
The story centers on Damon’s Sonny Vaccaro, a basketball talent scout employed by Nike in 1984. Faced with the imminent closure of his division due to declining sales, Vaccaro and his co-workers are desperate to find an NBA star to endorse the shoe line. Vaccaro’s prayers are answered when he glimpses the generation-defining talent of Michael Jordan, played by Young, putting his career on the line to recruit the rising star.
At first glance, the story of how Nike executives recruited Michael Jordan reeks of creative bankruptcy and corporate propaganda. Yet, Convery’s script adeptly humanizes these characters, emphasizing their love of the game and their personal stakes in seeing this deal go through. As devoted as this film is to the intricacies of an athletic endorsement deal, it is still comprehensible to audiences who may lack in-depth knowledge of the industry.
The film’s compelling story is elevated by Ben Affleck’s direction, which made last-minute business deals as exciting as a championship game. The pacing is quick and urgent as the executives scramble to iron out their pitch, but is capable of slowing down for moments of introspection that further connect viewers to the characters. Affleck also makes the unintuitive but inspired choice to keep “His Airness” — Jordan — out of focus and only seen from behind to effectively communicate his mythical status to the audience.
Bringing these legendary figures of basketball history to life is an all-star cast with talent to match their fame. Damon makes Vaccaro easy to root for as viewers watch him gamble his livelihood on an impossible deal. Doubling as an actor, Affleck brings comedic relief in his portrayal of Phil Knight as an eccentric CEO who, nevertheless, proves his worth when it’s necessary. Viola Davis is a commanding presence as Deloris Jordan, and Chris Messina steals every scene as the foul-mouthed David Falk.
“Air” is an exciting and inspirational tribute to the enduring legacy of Michael Jordan.
