Air | Title Explanation

In this segment of our Colossus Movie Guide for Air, we delve into the significance of the film’s title.

Cast

• Sonny Vaccaro – Matt Damon
• Rob Strasser – Jason Bateman
• Howard White – Chris Tucker
• Phil Knight – Ben Affleck
• Peter Moore – Matthew Maher
• Deloris Jordan – Viola Davis
• Julius Tennon – James R. Jordan Sr.
• David Falk – Chris Messina
• George Raveling – Marlon Wayan

Why is the movie called Air?

Air is a reference to Nike’s Air Jordan brand. It leaves off the “Jordan”. 

A cynical reading of the missing “Jordan” would be that the film couldn’t get the rights to Jordan’s name or likeness. Even though Affleck had Jordan’s blessing to make Air, with Michael suggesting Viola Davis play his mother, it is strange that we never see him on-screen. There is a stand-in that represents Jordan in scenes. But Jordan isn’t a character with lines and development. 

There is another reading. One of the ways Nike wins Jordan over is that they emphasize that the shoe is just a shoe until someone steps into it. Converse and Adidas emphasized the shoe over the individual. While Nike puts the individual over the shoe. This idea of the power of the individual goes beyond just Michael Jordan being an amazing talent and extends to the power of individuals in general. Like the way Sonny Vaccaro willed the deal with Jordan into existence. It was just an idea until someone stepped up. People make a difference. Each and every one of us has the power to “step into the shoe” and do something meaningful. In that way, the brand isn’t simply Air Jordan but Air [Insert Name]. 

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