Arts and Lifestyle Wednesday Presented by Cinematic Visions-Extremely Fresh "Air"
Sometimes I imagine in the world of the more esteemed movie reviewer, there are private screenings. Well, it just so happened that for a 12:45 showing of “Air” at a local theater, that is exactly what I received. I’m positive it is no reflection of the eventual popularity of the film, and certainly not the quality, that I was the only person in the theater to watch Ben Affleck’s latest directorial effort, starring his longtime friend Matt Damon.
Seeing as this film features those two award winning performers, and also EGOT heavyweight Viola Davis, Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, and others, and a compelling story of the creation of the Air Jordan brand by Nike, it seemed like a can’t miss, and it doesn’t, in spades. From the creative direction, outstanding script by Alex Convery, precise period detail and music, and across the board outstanding performances, pick your favorite basketball analogy and use it. Slam dunk, swish, whatever you like.
But this is not a basketball movie really in any way, except that it is the pursuit of arguably the greatest basketball player of all time by the fabled shoe company, who’s basketball line was anything but in 1984, as Jordan was about the enter the NBA. From the strains of “Money for Northing” over the opening credits, this movie is about the art of the deal, and really the story of Sonny Vaccaro (Damon), a dumpy, unathletic, pitchman, hired by Nike and their CEO Phil Knight (Affleck) for his connections in the basketball industry.
And since this really is at it’s heart Vaccaro’s story, that puts the focus on Matt Damon, who is absolutely brilliant. Damon is in virtually every scene in the movie, and in even slightly lesser hands, this might not have worked nearly as well. Damon’s Vaccaro is a driven, opinionated, and sometimes overbearing character, made much more likable because of the genial nature and resonant smile of the actor.
Nike is desperate for an uptick in their basketball division, which is dwarfed by Adidas and Converse in popularity. Nike is known as a running shoe company, Addidas is a worldwide powerhouse loved for among other things their sweat suits, and Converse is the cool kid, with Magic, Larry Bird, rappers, actors, and others carrying the freight. After the 1984 NBA draft headed by Akeem Alajuwon and Sam Bowie, and followed by Jordan, Nike has written off the chances of getting a top of the list player, and is exploring other options. But after closely reviewing Jordan’s game-winning shot from a couple years before to win the NCAA title for North Carolina, Vaccaro is convicted that Jordan is going to be the very real deal.
He expresses his zeal to Rob Strasser (the always reliably great Jason Bateman), Nike’s director of marketing, and says that he thinks they should put all off their resources on Jordan, rather than spreading out their limited budget on a few players. Strasser is dubious, and Knight is also. And not helping the cause is David Falk, Jordan’s wildly egotistical agent (played to the hilarious hilt by Chris Messina), who in several hysterical exchanges with Vaccaro, tells him he has no chance. He also tells him not to call Jordan’s parents.
Vaccaro is desperate, and decides to go around Falk’s instructions, by not calling the parents, but driving to North Carolina to see them in person, against the wishes of not just Falk, but basically every single person around him. But he does, and meets James Jordan (Julius Tennon), and his wife Deloris (who runs the show). In one of numerous brilliant scenes stacked one on another, Vaccaro begins the process of getting onto Deloris’s good side by predicting exactly how meetings with Addidas and Converse will go, and why Nike will be a more unique and positive step for her son.
Davis is her usual force of nature as the no-nonsense Deloris, who is handling all of the business, Michael Jordan is never seen face on, and even shots from behind him are limited, and he almost never is heard either. I think this was a tremendous decision by Affleck and Convery. Even basketball footage of Jordan is limited. This is a business tale, not a Jordan piece. We know all that stuff, and this movie wisely sticks to what it is to great effect.
Every main actor in the piece is outstanding. From the previously detailed, to Tucker as Howard White, another Nike exec, who’s amiable nature and good humor are used to great enjoyment, to Marlon Wayans as Vaccaro’s friend and confidante George Raveling, as well as a special shout out to Matthew Maher as Peter Moore, the shoe designer who’s dedication to the art of the shoe is his life’s major calling. The scenes including him as they try to find a new and different shoe, and under the radar brilliant and enjoyable.
But this is Damon’s movie. He dons a fat suit to look more like the schlumpy Vaccaro, and is alternately passionate, funny, angry, and persuasive. His exchanges with every character in the film are gems, and he even pulls off a couple of scenes toward the end that I felt were slight overreaches. This was basically scene by scene perfection throughout the buildup, and only slightly let up for the biggest moments at the end. If not for Damon, the final reel might have been a bit of a disappointment, but he saves the slight missteps. The outset of the film year is not a great chronological spot for Academy Award notice, but I sure hope this role isn’t forgotten, for it is not an easy part to pull off, and he did it.
This is more than just a pure entertainment, but as just that it works. If you love 80’s music, one song after another from the time are used wisely, not just to create a soundtrack. The film is funny, inspiring as an underdog story, which seems funny now given where Nike and Jordan brand have gone, and dramatically expert. You don’t even have to close to a sports fan to enjoy it. I went in with very high expectations due to the director and cast, and they were more than met.
Clink Scale 8.9
