Air
We have a fantastic cast of talented individuals, and a truly inspiring true story from the world of American sports that should resonate with everyone. Unfortunately, the end product feels like an exorbitantly expensive internal corporate advertisement that is lacking in depth, limited in perspective, and difficult to comprehend. Instead of celebrating the personal triumphs of the athletes, we are expected to cheer for the massive profits earned by Nike, leaving us with a sense of euphoria that feels misplaced.
During the 1980s, Sonny Vaccaro, a Nike executive, had a vision of enlisting the basketball superstar Michael Jordan to endorse the innovative Air Jordan shoe, which was specially created for him and formed a vital part of his brand. Although competitors such as Converse and Adidas had deeper pockets, Vaccaro took a daring step by visiting Jordan's home in North Carolina and attempting to bypass his legal representatives and management team. Instead, he aimed to establish a friendship with Jordan's formidable mother, Deloris.
Matt Damon delivers an easygoing performance as Vaccaro, while Viola Davis shines as Michael's mother Deloris Jordan, exuding a remarkable level of charisma and power that overshadows the rest of the cast combined. Despite this, her presence in the movie is limited, and her relationship with Vaccaro is not explored. Moreover, her personal life with her husband, James, is not compelling enough to warrant significant screen time. In contrast, the film focuses more on the grinning, suit-clad executives such as Nike CEO Phil Knight, marketing director Rob Strasser, Nike’s NBA liaison Howard White, and Jordan’s own agent David Falk, who is portrayed as aggressive and sub-Jerry-Maguire.
It's an intriguing and valid creative choice that Jordan doesn't make an on-screen appearance in Air. However, it's disappointing that his mother, who is the most captivating character, only has a brief cameo. While Air may appeal to hardcore basketball enthusiasts, it may leave some feeling unsatisfied. A thought-provoking pairing could be a screening of Air alongside Yemi Bamiro's One Man and His Shoes, a recent documentary exploring the Air Jordan craze.