Not long after awards season has ended, is it too early to say “Air” may be the first awards contender of 2023? It is a bold statement to make given that we are in April. However, “Air” is a crowd-pleasing biopic directed by Ben Affleck, who directed a similar crowd pleaser in “Argo,” which took home ‘Best Picture’ in 2013. So here we may be looking at the next ‘Best Picture.’
The film is now showing in theatres before its streaming release on Amazon Prime, and the main appeal of seeing the film on the Big Screen is the reunion of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, who have remained two of Hollywood’s biggest stars. They burst onto the screen in “Good Will Hunting,” which showcased their acting capabilities, but also their talent at screenwriting. Both of them won ‘Best Original Screenplay’ at The Oscars in 1998. Viewers will get a kick at seeing them both on-screen again. Even though they’ve starred together in nine films, their undeniable chemistry is still a sight to see. However, “Air” is the first film where Damon has been directed by Affleck; and given that Damon provides one of his best performances, it shows their strong relationship is not only in front of the camera but also behind.
Affleck and Damon Reunited
Affleck plays Nike CEO Phil Knight, who is obsessed with making profits. However, he faces pressure to do so as companies such as Adidas and Converse are coming up on the rise. Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) comes up with a plan to sign Michael Jordan — at the time an up in coming basketball player — to represent their brand and create the shoe now known as the ‘Air Jordan.’ At the time, it was a laughable choice, as it meant spending all of their marketing budget on an unknown basketball player. But as history unfolds, it’s a decision that has made Nike one of the biggest companies in the world.
The film displays a true ensemble cast, with everyone bringing their A game to the screen. It also shows what a truly gifted a director Affleck is. A key character in the movie is Jordan’s mother Deloris Jordan, who doesn’t want her son to compromise his talent for a shoe deal. When Michael Jordan found out his mother would be portrayed in the film, he said only one actress can play her — EGOT-Winner Viola Davis. Her fearless energy on-screen displays the maternal bond she has with her son, not wanting him to lose his integrity by putting his name to a pair of shoes. You never see anyone on-screen portraying Jordan; you only see him in archival footage. But the film is not about Jordan; it’s about what made the shoe a phenomenon, and how it turned a struggling into one of the most successful names in the world.
Already Creating ‘Best Picture’ Buzz
For a film about creating a shoe and the cultural revolution it caused, it’s quite a feat to say “Air” is one of the best films of 2023 and a contender for next year’s Oscars. But that’s the power of the film. The razor-sharp script leans into the comedic element of the story, packing the frames with laugh out loud lines, but also creating nail-biting suspense you don’t expect from a film about trainers. In short, it’s a film you don’t want to miss.
“Air” is currently only available to watch in theaters.
