AIR

 

Air

I originally went to see Dungeons and Dragons-Honor Among Thieves, a mistake. Now I know why I never became a gamer.

On my way out I snuck into theater 15 and watched Air which is an origin story about the creation of the Air Jordon sneaker and how Nike signed Michael Jordon to their brand. A fabulous movie with a stellar cast. Matt Damon plays Sonny Vaccaro, Ben Affleck plays Phil Knight, Jason Bateman is Rob Strasser, Chris Tucker is Howard White, and the always wonderful Viola Davis plays Jordon’s mother. Besides the strong chemistry of the cast this is a great script. This is not a jock movie; it is a story of believing in some one and making a full commitment.

Over many years and movies, the relationship between Matt Damon and Ben Affleck is well established.  However, with good roles their collaboration remains fresh. Affleck is Phil Knight, CEO of Nike. Damon is pitching Michael Jordon and creating a line of sneakers on one player, which was very risky for the company. In 1984 Nike was not the juggernaut it is now; it was competing against and behind Adidas and Converse. Signing Jordon was the golden ring.

Matt Damon is a true believer and is willing to bet everything on signing Jordon. This is to the consternation of Affleck who as the CEO has to balance Damon’s passion with hard business calculus. Jason Bateman delivers his trademark understated performance. There are some funny exchanges between him and Damon. Chris Tucker was reserved but even the way he speaks is funny. Another character is David Falk played by Chris Messina. He is Jordon’s agent and some of the funniest scenes are between he and Damon. Viola Davis is the boss. She is the gate keeper to Michael Jordon. She does not negotiate she just demands. Davis plays his mother as confident and tough.  

The movie employed a gimmick. You never actually see Michael Jordon. They show the back of his head or a shoulder. I do not know if there was a copywrite issue, but it was a bit silly. The movie’s sound track is great with 80’s songs.

So, either Dungeons and Dragons or Air. Make your pick.

 

 

Silver Linings Playbook - Yuck, Baltimore

Silver Linings Playbook

What a fabulous movie. After you read my review I recommend you go see it. It has the cinema trifecta: a great script, great directing and great acting. The actors play to each other, their timing is pitched perfect. Nuance makes for great performance. De Niro’s slight down turned lips, tilt of his head and begging eyes define the scene. Bradley Cooper captured the unsettling stare of man with psychological problems. Jennifer Lawrence invades Cooper’s personal space by literally by running into him.

Cooper left his Hangover, A-Team bad boy persona behind to become a head shaven garbage bag jogger and one hell of an actor. His character, Pat, is Bipolar; more manic than depressed. He is released from a psychiatric institute in Baltimore (yuck, Baltimore) to return home. He brings with him a lot of unresolved problems. Mental illness is a contagious disease and his family suffers from it.  Trepidation and sadness molds his mother’s face. Even De Niro cries; just two tears.

De Niro is a bookie who makes an oversized bet to solve his financial problems. Football is his salvation. He wants his son to watch the games with him so they can bond. His sincerity is questionable. Since he is very superstitious he feels his son’s presence with help the Eagles cover the spread. This home situation is not a place of mending.

Jennifer Lawrence uses her physical presence as part of her performance.  In most of the movie she is in Cooper’s face defining the tension between them. Cooper hopes to make up with his estranged wife and Lawrence pretends to help. Lawrence has her own issues. Unintentionally these two emotional cripples help each other find peace and love. This is the engine of the movie.

My one complaint is that Chris Tucker did not have more of role. He was the original manic actor but here he is subdued and understated. He is a psychiatric patient and Cooper’s friend. His limited scenes bring some of the funniest moments of the movie. His humor is better than any medication.

Ok, enough said. Go see this great movie.

joe