Director: Ben Affleck

Writers: Alex Convery

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Stars: Matt Damon, Viola Davis, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker

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Ben Affleck returns to the directors chair for the true story of Nike signing Michael Jordan in what soon became the biggest collaboration in sports history. 

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Affleck stars as CEO of Nike Phil Knight alongside best friend and long time creative partner Matt Damon, who plays Sonny Vaccaro, with Air being the first film under their new production company Actors Equity. 

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Both Affleck and Damon give equally brilliant performers, their on screen chemistry is just as strong as it was when they played Will and Chuckie in 1997’s Good Will Hunting. Supporting them are Chris Tucker, Jason Bateman and the incomparable Viola Davis as Jordans mother Deloris Jordan.  

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Set in 1984 at the brink of Jordans career skyrocketing to unthinkable heights, the era is perfectly captured in everything from costume design, production design and (particularly for Affleck’s Phil Knight) the wig department! 

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The soundtrack is bursting with 80s classics with needle drop after needle drop perfectly capturing the aesthetic of an 80s Nike commercial. Although occasionally veering from some of the deeper issues at hand, Affleck’s direction shines through with creative choices to tell the story from the Nike perspective. Having Michael Jordan on board to ensure the story focuses on this specific era felt thorough and the importance of including his mother as a pivotal character is abundantly clear. 

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No one will be surprised that Viola Davis’ performance is controlled, honest and adds the desired emotional weight to the film, alongside Damon who’s characters passion shines through in every one of his scenes. They both work perfectly together as leads with coinciding intention. Julius Tennon, Davis’ on and off screen husband, plays Michael’s father, James Jordan, wonderfully. His charismatic nature helps to balance the headstrong performance from Davis and has some of the most comedic one liners in the film.

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Despite unofficially being dubbed a “Dad film”, there is something in here for everyone. From sports enthusiasts to fans of 80s pop culture, Air embraces everything that it is whilst injecting the spark of Damon and Affleck’s magic. Five stars.