Air: Risking it all for the American Dream
Traditionally, the American dream is presented as the two story house, white picket fence, spouse and two kids. Despite it being exposed as fallacy, to this day that idea is still cited as the American Dream. However, entertainment has long since presented an ideal for the American Dream that is much different. The belief that you can achieve the impossible. That with determination, perseverance, skill and a little luck, anyone can change the course of their lives. This which has been packaged in our entertainment and steadily fed to us for decades, is actually the American Dream.
Unlike the white picket fence, it is a literal dream. One that is easy to fantasize and see yourself accomplishing. Which is why it is so effective across entertainment. Many a film has built its movie around this idea and prospered. Its fantastical element drives its effectiveness because it touches each of our individual desires. It also makes for a hell of a movie, which is especially true for the most recent film that tells the story of a somewhat regular guy risking it all to achieve greatness, Air.
Michael Jordan is such a compelling figure and great stories can be told about the people who come in contact with him. Which is essentially the story of Air. The story of the first Jordan shoe, and more specifically Nike’s pursuit of Michael Jordan as a client for an endorsement deal. Jordan himself isn’t really even in the film, apart from shots of the back of his head and stray words of dialogue. Which works to the film’s benefit, because it’s not really a story about Michael Jordan. But he is such a powerful name that his presence and/or mention of his name is enough.
The story does center around Sonny Vaccaro (Matt Damon), who signed Jordan to his unprecedented deal. Admittedly, it does feel odd to (sort of) leave Jordan out of the film. What it aims to do is separate itself from him. This is a film about self-belief, perseverance and betting on yourself. It’s about what it takes to achieve something great and what can be possible if you seize an opportunity. This is the real American Dream and Air perfectly captures it.
Air is an uncomplicated and inoffensive crowd pleaser. It’s familiar because it uses the same template of other biographical crowd pleasers. In this case familiarity isn’t bad. Instead it creates a comfort. It’s easy to settle into this movie, because of that familiarity. But also because early on we understand we are in the hands of some incredible filmmakers. Matt Damon, as Sonny Vaccaro, leads an incredible cast. Damon proves once again why he is one of the better actors of his generation. A perfect fit for this role because he has the charm needed to pull off this deal. When Vaccaro is in deal making mode, Damon shines. He so effectively moves through conversations convincingly without coming across as shady. Damon captures the spirit of Sonny Vaccaro, the hustle, self-belief and blind ambition necessary to achieve something when no one else believes.
Ben Affleck is pulling double duty (directing and acting) and is simply incredible in both roles. Much like the rest of the supporting cast Affleck brings color to the film. Phil Knight’s eccentric personality lends to a bigger supportive performance and Affleck meets that challenge, without losing reality of the character. For as many times as we get some comic relief from hitting bare feet up on his desk or him sharing a zen quote, we also see a successful business man in a complicated position. Phil Knight offers the stakes in Vaccaro’s decision, which not only grounds the character but the film as a whole. He successfully adds doubt in what Sonny is trying to do. Affleck handles this balance with the subtle aplomb that has marked his career, especially in recent times.
The rest of the star-studded supporting cast, which includes Viola Davis, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, Jason Bateman and Chris Tucker, live up to the standard a collection of names like theirs creates. While each of those names can carry (and has) a film on their own, they all beautifully blend into an ensemble. Sometimes a cast as loaded as this one can lose its characters behind the performers. Air doesn’t have this problem because each of these performers attach themselves to the essence of the character they are playing.
Chris Tucker stands out from this incredible group, in part simply because it’s nice to see him back in a big film! With ease he elevates the humor of the film immensely and injects the story with energy. It felt like a flashback to leading man Chris Tucker because he lights up the screen and owns his moments. For a cast this strong to come together this well, it becomes nearly impossible for the film to not be effective.
One thing that is quite clear in watching Air is that every element of the filmmaking process is working at its highest possible level. Which isn’t all that surprising with Ben Affleck directing. He is a strong director and Air gives the audience everything they could want. Even though we know how this story plays out, Affleck draws out dramatic tension with its quick pace and a clear framing of the odds Sonny is facing.
Alongside that dramatic tension is a surprising amount of humor. Air is funny, and not just to offset the tension, but as a necessary element of the film. This is the story of this film. Any element I can mention will bring praise with it, simply because the film is great. It doesn’t take a movie scholar to reach this conclusion. It’s a film that is for everyone, features great work from great filmmakers and you could watch over and over. Air isn’t the best movie you’ll see this year, but you won’t forget it and it could possibly be this year’s movie you watch the most.
