‘Air’ is a winner on the big screen

Acting performances makes Air Jordan story a compelling one

By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR

It’s a slam dunk for “Air” — thanks to Viola Davis, Matt Damon and Jason Bateman.

Not only at the box office, where the movie has been among the top five most successful films, but in terms of great acting.

Writer Alex Convery’s story about Nike’s development of Air Jordan shoes is a good one, but what stands out the most is Mr. Damon, Ms. Davis and Mr. Bateman. Their honest, natural performances — along with Ben Affleck’s effective directing — make the true 1980s story of the challenge of recruiting basketball star Michael Jordan for a shoe endorsement compelling.

The film, which is graced with a soundtrack of great hits from the ’80s, is still playing at local theaters.

“Air” stars Mr. Damon as Nike’s Sonny Vaccaro, who is determined to recruit Michael Jordan to endorse a basketball shoe designed specifically for him — despite Mr. Jordan’s preference to go with Adidas.

Sonny won’t take “no” for an answer, to the irritation of Nike CEO and fitness enthusiast Phil Knight (Mr. Affleck), Nike executive Rob Strasser (Mr. Bateman) and Mr. Jordan’s agent David Falk (Chris Messina).

He even goes as far as to show up, unannounced, at the Jordan family home in North Carolina, and that bravado ultimately impresses Deloris Jordan (Ms. Davis).

Never mind Michael Jordan’s prowess on the basketball court. The true players here are Sonny vs. David, Sonny vs. Deloris and Sonny vs. Rob and Phil. Sonny, who likes to gamble at Las Vegas casinos, is betting his career on breaking all the rules to do the impossible.

The question is whether Michael will sign with Adidas, Converse or, the Beaverton, Orebased underdog, Nike. Sonny has a strategy, and it doesn’t go exactly as planned, but he’s the master of improvising and making a sales pitch. The challenge is not so much Michael Jordan, but Deloris Jordan, who’s a shrewd businesswoman.

Ultimately Sonny’s strategy works. Viewers already know the

Calendar

The calendar appears Mondays through Saturdays in the “Life & the Arts” section. Items are welcome. Please email them a full week before the event to Managing Editor Dave Mason at dmason@ newspress.com.

TODAY 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Storytelling: Native People Through the Lens of Edward S. Curtis” is on display through April 30 at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, 2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays. For more information, visit sbnature.org.

10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. “SURREAL

WOMEN: Surrealist Art by American Women” is on display through April 24 at Sullivan Goss: An American Gallery, 11 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. For more information, www. sullivangoss.com.

By appointment on weekdays: happy ending. Sonny wins over Deloris, and the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan’s playing in Air Jordan shoes sets the stage for a longtime boost in sales for Nike. In fact, the Jordan Brand brought in $19 billion in just the last five years.

“Holly Hungett: Natural Interpretations” is on view through May 20 at the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara’s gallery, 229 E. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. The gallery is open 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays by appointment. For more information, call the foundation at 805-965-6307 or go to www.afsb.org.

Noon to 5 p.m. “Clarence Mattei: Portrait of a Community” is on view now through May at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, which is located in downtown Santa Barbara at 136 E. De la Guerra St. Admission is free. Hours are currently from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, visit www.sbhistorical.org. to etcsb.org or call 805-965-5400.

Sometimes it pays to gamble. email: dmason@newspress.com

Fyi

“Air” is screening at Paseo Nuevo Cinemas in downtown Santa Barbara and Camino Real Cinemas, 7040 Market Place, Goleta. See metrotheatres.com for times.

It’s also playing at Regal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX, 100 Town Center East, Santa Maria. See regmovies.com.

The Amazon Studios movie has a running time of one hour and 52 minutes. It’s rated R for language.

won’t take no for an answer as he breaks the rules to recruit