If you are looking for a drama biopic about a shoe company that got big because it made one big and risky bet with then-up-and-coming basketball player Michael Jordan, you’ll be hard-pressed not to watch Air.

Directed by Ben Affleck (who also stars in the film as Nike co-founder Phil Knight), the film centres on the person who orchestrated the fabled Air Jordans deal of 1984: one Sonny Vaccaro (played by Matt Damon), who is out of shape, close to having his division closed down, and about to be irrelevant. He gets colleagues Rob Strasser the marketing guru (Jason Bateman) and Howard White the soon-to-be-VP-of-Air-Jordan-brand and good friend to Vaccaro (Chris Tucker). Also in the mix is Michael Jordan’s mom Deloris (Viola Davis), who is the one obstacle Nike needs to break down for the all-or-nothing deal to happen. And yes, you’ll get to see a pair of prototype OG Air Jordans to boot while relishing in some 80s backdrops, aesthetics, and expected soundtrack choices.

With names like these, you expect to be captivated by the banter, the setup, the planning, and the heart-to-heart talks, as well as the third act’s obligatory closing statement that cemented Michael Jordan to side with Nike. And this aspect does not disappoint in the slightest. You’ll be engrossed to witness the thought process on how Sonny approaches things, talk down the CEO who he happens to be buddies with, and even lend an ear to Strasser who is at his wit’s end with him and the division.

Moments like Sonny’s talk with Deloris in the Jordan residence to the aforementioned closing statement, as well as a follow-up call from Deloris post-meeting are all done with the standard heavy-handedness in film dramas, but you can’t help but just feel inspired and motivated by all of it. Yes, this is a multi-million dollar shoe-making company we’re talking about, but it could have been a lot shadier with its intent.

I do wish the film adhered to the third rule of Nike’s ethos: break the rules. It’s a well-produced show, but it’s not breaking new ground unlike Affleck’s past films. Still, sneakerheads and would-be businessmen who want to get a confidence boost should not miss out on this venture.

Final Score: 70/100