AIR (2023)

Ben Affleck makes an early case for Director of the Year with the phenomenal AIR, an engaging and riveting film that makes every cinematic shot from start to finish with massive assists from a spectacular cast.

Before Michael Jordan dominated the NBA, Nike’s unsuccessful basketball division goes all-in to sign the future superstar by first courting his influential mother (Viola Davis). Matt Damon leads the Uber-talented cast as Sonny Vaccaro, the man who talked Nike founder Phil Knight (Affleck) into dumping all of the division’s resources in an attempt to sign Jordan. Damon’s commitment to the role is the constant thread that keeps you hanging on every decision, every word, every scene. He continues to have excellent chemistry with BFF Affleck who himself is solid in support (and quite humorous), though his wig leaves more to be desired. The standouts, however, are the aforementioned Davis with her powerful, steady presence and Jason Bateman as the marketing executive who would go on to revolutionize the industry. The former is simply fantastic while the latter is remarkably funny and likable in a way that he hasn’t been in quite some time. The true surprise? Chris Tucker in a semi-serious role that channels his comedy into a less abrasive delivery and instead uses it to set the tone.

What really makes AIR soar is Alex Convery’s script, one that is focused on the sports apparel business of the mid-1980s and Nike’s major leap rather than attempting to achieve a pseudo-biopic in disguise. The odds seem stacked against this crew of executives until the bold swings begin to pay off. You’ll find yourself rooting for them and their polo shirts/80s gear set upon a backdrop of nostalgia that has a disarming effect that allows the plot to sing. Affleck’s choices each step of the way cannot be understated; he has become one of the most talented and impressive directing success stories out there. AIR is for sure one of his best outings and one of the best films of the year thus far.

#AIR hits theaters Wednesday.