Air (2023)

Ben Affleck's latest film is the story of how the Air Jordan trainer came to pass, not necessarily a pitch that sets hearts racing. Matt Damon is Sonny, a Nike executive who thought up the idea of getting Michael Jordan to sign for Nike and promote a new Basketball trainer. The way in which Sonny pitches the idea and goes about following it up did, as we know, revolutionise the industry, making a lot of people a whole lot of money in the process. If you're someone who doesn't like seeing people get rich, or rich people or companies getting richer, Air probably isn't for you, but there's a reason these people are rich; they're very good at what they do. As the credits roll on Air we learn (if you didn't already) that Michael Jordan still makes $400 million a year from the sale of Air Jordan trainers. But, what's annoying about that? It was inserted by his mum into the original Nike contract, and the deal was signed.Air solely focuses on the industry and the players, barely touching on their personal lives relying on the trainer itself to drive the story. This actually gives the film an enjoyable flow, and it's very difficult to think of a dud film that has involved both Affleck and Damon. The problems arise with the introduction of Jordan himself in one or two meetings in which we neither see his face or hear him speak. Affleck has said this was a decision taken because he felt Jordan himself was too big for the film and would overshadow the story. The point he's making is valid, because the film is about Nike signing Jordan not Jordan himself, but in reality it leaves the scenes featuring Jordan's back really quite bizarre. In the end Air runs along smoothly enough, with solid performances and it's an enjoyable watch, but it's not a huge amount more than that. 6.4/10