Air

Sonny’s grail-seeking mission has merit with the advisement of Nike executive VP of Brand Howard White (Chris Tucker) and Nike executive and former basketball coach George Raveling (Marlon Wayans). Both actors prove their mettle in these supporting roles, providing some perspective and bona fide reality to this historic time. However, Deloris Jordan (Viola Davis) serves her son’s best interest. She is a crucial figure in Michael Jordan’s path to greatness. Sonny handles her with kid gloves though his tactic involves taking a chance, which most would never would, on Jordan. Even though we don’t see a young Michael Jordan, only his back, it’s enough to know his mother managed things on a level like any top executive featured in Air. Davis makes her a real character and handles the historic deal, more important in more ways than anyone could imagine, with fierce determination.

From the start, the film provides plenty of nostalgia to create the atmosphere of the early 1980s with references in every corner of the screen. From the decor to VHS tapes; from original Nike shoes to everyone’s wardrobe — beige is a big swatch of color; from Wendy’s “Where’s the beef?” to the first car phones, it is all authentically that era. There are jokes aplenty (the Just Do It slogan is one of them) and a soundtrack to accompany each turning point of the story. The music, a full spectrum of 1984 music, is a bit of a dance party, with “I Want My MTV,” “Sister Christian,” and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message.” The best part? The music doesn’t stop there.

“…a good ride.”

All the well-directed decision-making made by Affleck to present a known story reveals how Convery crafted a script where actors had the freedom to embrace their characters to the core. And adding the Affleck-Damon recipe makes it even better. The synergy between Bateman, Damon, Affleck, and Matthew Maher, who plays the Nike Air Jordan shoe designer Peter Moore, is well-received. Their rapport in the build-up to the big presentation meeting with Jordan, his agent, and his parents is amazing. Affleck and Damon make this pressured scene a good one. It is a testament to how their years of working together make a difference in recreating history to feel like it only just happened. The film is a good ride.

As history goes, Converse and Adidas had their success stories, too — let’s not forget the Adidas tracksuit, an excellent 1980s reference throughout. Then there’s the Converse Larry Byrd and Magic Johnson rivalry. However, Air makes Nike’s shoe journey the one to know. It changed the world of athletes and inspired many young Black men to be like Mike.

Air screened at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and the 2023 Sun Valley Film Festival.