The story of ‘Air’ Jordan

Many of you, particularly the younger fans, might not like Ben Affleck after his performance as Batman in DC's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" and subsequent "Justice League". I know I didn't enjoy the 'phenomenon' that was Batfleck.

However, when you look at the incredible body of work Affleck has produced over the years, from "Good Will Hunting" to "Argo", it is clear that the actor's contributions to filmmaking are wide reaching.

I had this epiphany while watching "Air", Affleck's latest project which premiered on Prime Video this May 12, after an initial theatrical release on April 5.

Now, if you go and read the synopsis of "Air", you'll be left questioning why anyone would want to watch a movie that is about one specific shoe deal Nike made with a basketball player. So what if it is about their infamous deal with Michael Jordan, the greatest NBA player of all time, who cares about the corporate dealings of how a shoe company signed an athlete?

But see, the story of "Air" extends beyond being just about one particular shoe. It is about the story of how Nike went from being another billion-dollar shoe company to the worldwide phenomenon it is now. It's a story of how one shoe-line changed the entire landscape of the industry and resulted in players getting even better deals in the future. And finally, it is a story about a mother, who believed in her son so much, that she was willing to fight for a deal that an average talent manager probably would not have.

If you're a sneaker-head, then you know exactly the place Air Jordan holds in the industry. It is probably the most iconic shoe in history, synonymous with one man and a company, that changed the landscape of the sneaker industry. No half-decent sneaker collector can have a collection without a pair of Air Jordans in the mix.

"Air" captures the story of how this basketball shoe came into existence and how one Nike Executive, Sonny Vaccaro, saw what no one else did—the incredible talent that existed in a freshly-drafted Michael Jordan.

Matt Damon's portrayal of Sonny Vaccaro, the man who ardently fought to secure Michael Jordan as Nike's first basketball star, was beautifully done. Ben Affleck playing former Nike CEO Phil Knight added another interesting element to the movie, showcasing the unique vision and risks Nike had to take to become the global megabrand it is today. Chris Tucker and Jason Bateman also provided excellent performances as Nike execs Howard White and Rob Strasser, respectively.

A scene from "Air" where Michael Jordan sees his Air Jordan line for the first time.

However, the best performance in the film is hands down provided by Viola Davis, who plays Michael Jordan's mother, Deloris Jordan. In an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Ben Affleck shared how in his conversation with Michael Jordan, the basketball legend had insisted that Viola Davis take on the role of his mother. And truly, it was a perfect casting scenario.

Davis showcases her range as a performer, doing an incredible job at playing a mother who see greatness in her son. Before Jordan's debut in the NBA, no one had believed he would be a breakout star at the level that he was. His performances in college were not overly impressive, resulting in many doubting whether he would become a top star in the NBA. Despite this doubt, Viola brilliantly portrayed how Deloris Jordan had believed her son would become NBA Rookie of the Year after his debut.

So brilliant was Davis' performance, that the real-life Sonny Vaccaro would remark that the first scene from the film where Damon meets the Jordan family felt like it was straight from his own memory of the incident.

Whether you're a sneakerhead, a fan of basketball or just a Michael Jordan fan, you are more than likely to enjoy this film. The best part about "Air" is its runtime, at only 1 hours 52 minutes, which makes it an easy watch compared to most modern-day films. So, if you're simply looking for a casual watch, you should definitely give "Air" a go.