McDaniel
When you think of an underdog, you probably don’t default to a billion dollar corporation like Nike. You certainly don’t think of Michael Jordan. But the new movie “Air” shows that one point in time, both Nike and Jordan had something to prove. And thanks to charming performances from its all-star cast, the film nails it — nothing but net.
The script plays like a marketing David vs. Goliath. In 1984, the Nike basketball shoe division was on the verge of collapse. Converse dominated the market, having signed the likes of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Jordan’s favorite brand was Adidas. Nike was a distant third and considering cutting its basketball shoe division altogether, before marketing guru Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon) threw up a buzzer beater: Rather than signing four rookies to endorsement deals like normal, he decided to risk everything by putting Nike’s money all in on a single rookie: Michael Jordan.
The great irony is that an overweight, middle-aged white marketing executive had the same unrelenting confidence as the once-in-a-lifetime superathlete whom he sought to sign.
Jordan had never stepped foot on an NBA court, but Vaccaro was certain that he would be great. Initially, the brash marketer didn’t exactly have the support of his colleagues to aim so high, but he bet his career on his certainty that by designing an entire shoe line around Jordan, Nike would finally stand out among the competition. Fans would want to be like Mike, and the way to do that would be by wearing the shoe that he wore: a unique new design, aptly named Air Jordan.
To try to make a deal happen, Vaccaro bypassed standard procedure and went right to the boss lady, Michael’s mother Deloris Jordan. Though brief on dialogue, Viola Davis steals the ball, showing the momma bear to be the poised and confident leader of the Jordan household. Davis is joined by her real life husband Julius Tennon, who plays Michael’s father James.
Back at Nike headquarters in Oregon, Damon is joined by his buddy Ben Affleck, who directs the film and stars as Nike CEO Phil Knight, and the hilarious Jason Bateman as marketing director Rob Strasser. Chris Tucker rounds out the Nike crew, playing field representative Howard White, who helps develop the relationship between Nike and the Jordan family. Chris Messina plays Jordan’s equal parts arrogant and angry agent, David Falk.
You might find it hard to worry about a billion dollar company’s struggles, but every character introduced is likable thanks to superb writing. Each has distinct comedic chops, and despite their shortcomings, they feel like decent, hard-working human beings that you can get behind. And with that sort of roster, “Air” is an enjoyable journey back to the ‘80s, through a killer soundtrack and the spotlighting of memorable pop culture.
If you’re considering watching “Air” – Just do it.
4.5/5
Scott McDaniel is a journalist who lives with his wife and three kids in Bargersville.
