Kelaru & Fulton rating: ★★★★
Available on Prime Video | Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Oscar winning director Ben Affleck assembles an all-star cast in this sports drama starring Matt Damon playing Sonny Vaccaro, the legendary sports marketing executive that signed Michael Jordan with Nike in 1984. While the storyline may feel familiar, this is a very well put together film with the cast, direction and sets doing an excellent job transporting the viewer to the early days of Nike’s journey to sneaker-fame.
Damon disappears completely into the role of Vaccaro, gruffly charming yet sharply intelligent. We believe Vaccaro as both cynical opportunist and true believer, a man determined to make his mark on the world of sports marketing.
In a clever casting choice, Affleck takes on the smaller but pivotal role of Phil Knight, Nike's co-founder. Affleck conveys Knight's understated yet ruthless business savvy and fanatical drive to beat rival Reebok in the sneaker wars. Lesser directors may have been tempted to put themselves front and centre. Instead, Affleck hands the spotlight to Damon and provides a rock-solid supporting performance.
Affleck recreates 1980s America in vivid, period-perfect detail. Back room negotiations seethe with intensity, Affleck’s direction allowing the story to breath and his talented cast to shine. And what a cast! Jason Bateman balances Damon’s manic quest for Michael Jordan as VP of Nike; Viola Davis steps into Michael Jordan’s mother Deloris, with a negotiating on his behalf and providing the more tense moments of the film; Christ Tucker and Chris Messina providing most of the funny moments of the film.
Air captures the struggle and hustle of signing the young Michael Jordan with Nike also allowing the characters to develop and the cast to shine. Although not their first rodeo, Affleck and Damon feel comfortable working with each other and the results are promising.