Film: Air

The Nike story of how Air Jordans came into being is fascinating, and I’m glad to see made into film. 

This is a fun film where it seems someone put together their favourite 80s songs and then looked for a film idea to feature them. Opening with the never get-tired-of Money for Nothing, adding Ain’t Nobody, Rock The Casbah, The Message and then one of my favourites I Can Dream About You amongst the 40 odd songs.

Michael Jordan is a rookie being courted by Converse and Adidas - the Beastie Boys made a song about the latter and I don’t think they were alone. I always wore Adidas in my gym years c 1996 - 2006 although I never wore trainers otherwise. There was a bit of a perception around my way then that thieves preferred Nike but I always liked the Adidas stripes anyway.

The story centres on a young Nike organisation, headed by CEO, Phil Knight (Ben Affleck - who also directed) looking to make inroads in the NBA which at the time is dominated by Adidas with a bit of Converse. No Reebok is mentioned in this film. Also Michael Jordan’s character has little to do with this story, just his parents, most notably his mum (Viola Davis). It is the mum who holds all the cards and to whom Nike exec Sonny (Mat Damon) turns, supported by the Marketing boss (Jason Bateman). I bet Apple, a brand built entirely on marketing, were watching

I watch it because I love a good business story and my Godaughter’s big brother is called Jordan. I have no interest in ‘American netball’ but I love this film. Will be catching it again on a plane if I can.

8/10