The new movie “Air,” which was directed by the heavy-hitting duo of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, tells the story of how Nike rose to the top of the shoe industry via its connection with Michael Jordan in the middle of the 1980s .
Starring Matt Damon as Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck as Phil Knight, and recent EGOT winner Viola Davis as Jordan’s mother, Deloris. Based on the trailer, the tone of Air is quite similar to the stirring atmosphere of Argo, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
However, unlike Argo, Air has more comedic moments and winking dialogue, both of which are impossible to avoid in period pieces like this one. At one point, Vaccaro suggests the name “Air Jordan” to Knight, who shows some reluctance toward the idea before saying, “Maybe it’ll grow on me.”
At the same time, a character portrayed by Marlon Wayans declares, “There’s nothing cool about Nike!” Wayans, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, and Chris Tucker are the four more actors that complete out the impressive supporting group.
The film portrays an agitated Vaccaro who is trying frantically to increase Nike’s basketball footprint but is failing to garner support from the company’s higher-ups owing to the fact that he is attempting to build Nike’s basketball presence.
At one point, he relays the following information to the character played by Bateman: “I can tell ’em the one thing the other corporations can’t compete with: our basketball divisions is dreadful.” Next, we see him travelling across North Carolina and showing up at the door of the Jordans’ house.
In an interesting piece of casting, Davis’ husband and producing partner Julius Tennon plays the role of Jordan’s father.
The teaser gradually builds up to the big revelation of Michael Jordan, although the player himself is never really seen at any point. However, his famous silhouette, which would later become the Jordan logo, does make an appearance.
According to Variety, the role of Jordan is not played by an actor in the movie; however, the genuine player does make an appearance in some archive video. It should come as no surprise that Vaccaro’s wager was successful given that Nike is now the only supplier of uniforms and clothing for both the NBA and the WNBA.
With that type of fist-pumping, success story on deck, it may not be too early to ponder whether or not Ben Affleck, the director, has another Oscar candidate on his hands. The movie Air will be in cinemas on April 5.