The best film that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have ever made since winning the Oscar for Good Will Hunting. Based on true events, Air tells a remarkable tale of Nike’s decision to gamble all their basketball interests in one talented kid. He is not even seen but Michael Jordan became the greatest basketball player ever. For many years, his shoe brand named after himself dominated the athletic sportswear industry. But in 1984, he was just another promising rookie among many at NBA Draft.
Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) returns angry from his office at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. The basketball scout’s opinion wasn’t similar to those of other employees. Nike was already successful when it came to running shoes. However, they were struggling against industry giants Adidas and Converse for endorsement deals with top basketball stars. It was bad out there as far as sales numbers go. Nevertheless, with constant pressure from investors demanding he close down the basketball business and fire everyone in the department, Nike CEO Phil Knight (Affleck) had few options left.
Marketing executives Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) together with Howard White (Chris Tucker) proposed a strategy to spread their infinitesimal budget across numerous potential players. During an acrimonious meeting Sonny dismisses this idea outrightly . They couldn’t possibly compete with legendary basketballers like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird—ever! Then later that night watching tape of Georgetown vs North Carolina NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME 1982 changed everyone’s fortunes – forever!. Michael Jordan wins the game by scoring a last second buzzer beater.
Sonny dashes back into his office believing he has found a foolproof solution .Jordan would change everything; let them put all eggs into his basket. Phil thinks he’s nuts; Rob and Howard tell him so too who did not think they could win him over anyway . When dealing with David Falk (Chris Messina), his ruthless agent, Sonny realizes that Jordan will certainly sign for Adidas or Converse. Falk only laughs at him, disrespects him but let slip an important detail—Michael’s mother Deloris Jordan (Viola Davis) makes all his decisions. Since Sonny heads to North Carolina and personally pleads with her thereby inciting Fox’s mighty anger as well as dragging Nike’s top management into a vicious fight to sign an unknown but talented youngster.
The outcome is never in doubt of course, because (especially those wearing Air Jordans) the spectators know it already. Still, this picture abounds with the delicious ambiguities of a turning point in time; debutant feature film writer Alex Convery has penned one sublime script here. This unshakeable faith of Sonny cost them dearly . He took actions that put Nike and its employees at risk but rather than being condemned or dismissed for such a reckless step, Sonny was not. At first there was rage then it turned to support against Nike rose out of groundbreaking ideas from which they were born… They relied on their faith in him like they did to trust his own heart and soul. With each member coming together in an ensemble scene, these are some most captivating action scenes ever!
Brilliant director/co-star Affleck comes through again here. Air takes you back to a superb nostalgic era set in 80’s . The rockin’ soundtrack, settings and period costumes will simply transport you back in time. In air ben affleck playfully mocks Phil Knight’s Buddhist sayings and fashion sense.I chuckled at his tight curly perm and bright jogging outfits.His friendship between Damon were so powerful that it could be felt every damn minute.Affleck is able to bring out best from Damon just well as other way round thus the two have mastered how to get the most from each other.Air is undeniably slam dunk across the board when early awards contenders are being mentioned.
Amazon Studios, Skydance Media, Artists Resource Centre and Mandalay Films produced the film “Air”. It will be in theaters on April 5th through Amazon Studios before it is streamed on Prime Video.
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