Air - courting a legend

Air - courting a legend is a biographical and dramatic film of 2023, directed by Ben Affleck and starring Matt Damon, Affleck himself, Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina and Viola Davis. The film tells the story of the birth of the famous line of sports shoes Air Jordan, the result of the agreement between Nike and the young basketball champion Michael Jordan. The protagonist is Sonny Vaccaro, a talent scout for Nike who has the idea of betting everything on Jordan and creating a shoe and a brand customized for him. To do so, he must overcome the resistance of his boss Phil Knight, Jordan’s manager and the player himself, who would prefer Adidas. Vaccaro manages to convince Jordan’s mother to trust him and sign the contract that will change the history of sport and marketing forever.

The film is an interesting portrait of an era and a cultural phenomenon that has influenced generations of basketball and fashion enthusiasts. Affleck directs with rhythm and skill an engaging and rich story, which mixes real facts and fiction with balance. Damon is perfect in the role of Vaccaro, an ambitious and visionary character who knows how to seize opportunities and anticipate trends. The other actors are all well chosen and credible in their roles, especially Davis in the role of Jordan’s protective mother. The film does not just celebrate the success of Air Jordan, but also shows the difficulties, challenges and controversies that accompanied their creation. Air - The Story of the Great Leap is a film that excites and entertains, but also makes you think about the power of image and the relationship between sport and business.