Barbarella feels energized and nostalgic after AIR

Published: April 5, 2023, 9:15 PM CST by Barbarella

Hello, my friends. Barbarella feels nostalgic after browsing AIR, the latest Ben Affleck/Matt Damon collaboration. Admittedly, I wasn't sure what I would think of Nike's courtship history with Michael Jordan. On the one hand, I love a behind-the-scenes story. I've become a bit fascinated with everything from sports documentaries to band breakup shows to dramatizations of true stories, and AIR basically hits all the buttons that thrill me. On the other hand, I know how it's going to end, so there's not really any element of surprise. I mean, it would be hard to find someone who doesn't know the outcome of this story, but like the journey of life, the destination matters far less than getting there, and AIR gets there in style, retro style, that is. Jam-packed with all things 80s, the film offers both nostalgia and almost too much energy for a story about a struggling business, but it works and works incredibly well.

The opening sets the tone perfectly, transporting viewers to a decade marked by bright colors, crazy advertising slogans and energetic music. For those who lived through the 1980s, something about the opening will spark nostalgia. For those who haven't, the opening includes a wide sampling of fashions and trends from the decade to check out. AIR also manages to keep the energy high by slipping 80s music and memories into most of the transitions so you never forget the era in which this story takes place. It also serves to make the movie feel more action-packed than it actually is. With so many great songs included, I can't overstate how much I want the soundtrack. For anyone longing to go back to the 1980s or even those who were born too late and only heard the stories, this movie takes you back in time. Rubik's Cubes, Jane Fonda workouts, questionable fashion choices, "Where's the beef?" ads; they're all there and they make AIR even more enjoyable.

Beyond this fun and nostalgic immersion into a decade that many will fondly remember, AIR also relies on its incredible cast to sell the story. I appreciate all of the memorable performances and characters that the cast portrays. I find it interesting that the only character who isn't memorable is Michael Jordan, himself, who is little more than scenery when he appears. This is a movie about Nike, not the basketball legend, and Alex Convery's screenplay, along with Ben Affleck's direction, ensures you get that.

While the performances are all effective, I have my favorites. Viola Davis once again nails her portrayal of a smart, protective mother who only wants the best for her son, athlete Michael Jordan. Jason Bateman hits the mark as a family man struggling in his middle management position at the potentially dying company. Yet it is Matt Damon as a visionary that I appreciate the most. I feel every setback, every hint of doubt and despair, every ounce of fear that emanates from him, but also, I feel the hope and the conviction that pushes him to overcome doubt and take action. He's a gambler, and like a real gambler, he understands both ups and downs and chooses to take risks knowing there are no guarantees.

While his portrayal of Sonny is my favorite on AIR, I savor every moment Chris Messina appears on screen. He kills as an agent who makes Entourage's Ari Gold look like a teddy bear. The way he takes the insults to a whole new level makes me laugh out loud at their utter impertinence. Having no experience with agents in sports or in Hollywood, I wonder how accurate this description can be. In fact, I question the accuracy of much of the story. I mean, the jogging outfit that the CEO of Nike wears, I know, is accurate. Did Michael Jordan really hate Nike so much? I have no idea. What I do know is that this m...