For many basketball enthusiasts, Ben Affleck’s and Alex Convery’s new documentary style film Air, will feel like a missed opportunity to tell Michael Jordan’s heartfelt story rising to fame. However, for those that find themselves waking up with the sun, waiting for a pivotal turn of events that ends the monotony and dullness of their routine, this film will feel like a long-awaited hopeful breeze. The charming and inspirational story of Sonny Vaccaro and his team is a crowd-pleasing, yet certainly melancholic and relatable rollercoaster ride. 

Ben Affleck’s take on Air Jordan’s narrative is revolutionary and witty. How can one give tension, emotion, and character to a story everyone knows the ending to? Air’s old-school style allows the audience to situate themselves back in 1985 when NIKE was finally making a name for itself outside of Adidas’ shadow. Moreover, the warm and welcoming atmosphere set by the producers and screenwriters gave the film a relatable and mundane quality.

Rather than focusing on Michael Jordan’s input within NIKE as a brand, the directing crew chose to base the whole plot around the personal hardships faced by those who participated in Jordan’s collaboration. Nevertheless, the film’s most prevalent and memorable trait is conveying the magnitude and reach of Air Jordan without diverting the audience’s attention from Matt Damon’s exceptional performance as Sonny Vaccaro. 

One could argue that every character had a coming-of-age moment, especially Phil Knight, former CEO and co-founder of NIKE, Inc. His story in particular was notably captivating despite not being the focal point of the movie. After losing sight of his roots as a dreamer and nonconformist and becoming one of the most successful CEOs of all time, he is faced with a conflict of interest, a dilemma that would trivialize his moral values and principles.

This subplot or parallel narrative was responsible for tying the other individual stories together. Deloris Jordan’s decisive input in her family’s future, Rob Strasser’s and Chris Tucker’s selfless acts to support Sonny’s vision, and David Falk’s role in Jordan’s collaboration. All of which made Air deviate from the common narrative, successfully avoiding falling into the entertaining but often vague realm of brand documentaries. 

By delving into the intricate and complex connections that existed between major companies and people through a humanistic approach, the film lures and ultimately wins over a completely new selection of viewers. Non-basketball fans are just as likely to enjoy Air as hardcore hoops fans. The marks the difference between a trendy movie and a classic piece that fluently channels and communicates a deeper message that strikes viewers in a powerful way. The comedic relief and ironic tone used throughout the dialogue give it credibility, making the film feel genuine and light, suitable for almost any type of audience. 

News channels, movie review apps, and websites, as well as blogs, have praised Air. The user review section of IMDb has celebrated Affleck’s ability to diversify and appeal to a broad audience.  According to one comment, “He managed to get me out to the theater to see a movie about Nike. Not necessarily a shoe guy, however, this movie paints the picture as to why people invest in these shoes.

The directing was fantastic.” Ben Affleck did an exceptional job directing Air, in fact, when asked about it by Narcity, Affleck highlighted the importance of  making something meaningful with the people he loves and admires, stating that “these are the kinds of movies he cares about.” 

Air is a film that transcends the boundaries of a traditional sports movie. Ben Affleck’s revolutionary and witty take on Michael Jordan’s story, combined with the relatable and humanistic approach to the characters’ personal struggles, makes it timeless, smooth, and greatly entertaining. The film’s ability to delve into the intricate connections between people and corporations, while maintaining a comedic relief and ironic tone, has earned it praise from diverse audiences, including non-basketball fans. Ben Affleck’s exceptional directing and his commitment to making meaningful movies with a team he loves and admires shines through in Air, making it a must-watch for those looking for a heartfelt and inspirational story of perseverance and success.