Is the movie Air based on a True Story? Ending Explained

If you want to know Is the movie Air based on a True Story or not, follow this article to know the incredible story behind the movie Air.

by Rubaditsha

Updated Apr 12, 2023

Advertisement
Is the movie Air based on a True Story? Ending Explained
Fresherslive

What is the movie Air about?

The movie "Air" is a post-apocalyptic science fiction thriller released in 2015, directed by Christian Cantamessa and produced by Skybound Entertainment. The film follows the story of two workers, Bauer (played by Norman Reedus) and Cartwright (played by Djimon Hounsou), who are tasked with maintaining an underground facility designed to keep the last remaining survivors of a catastrophic event alive.

Article continues below advertisement

The facility is powered by a limited supply of oxygen, which is regulated by a system of pods that the two workers must maintain. As they near the end of their mission, tensions rise as they start to question their mission, their sanity, and each other's motivations.

As the story progresses, the workers begin to experience hallucinations and paranoia, leading to a dramatic and intense climax. The movie explores themes of isolation, survival, and the human psyche in the face of extreme adversity.

Is the movie Air based on a True Story?

Yes, the movie Air is based on a true story. The film tells the story of how Nike signed famed basketball player Michael Jordan in a massive deal that would ultimately change the game for all involved. The film is directed by Ben Affleck and stars Matt Damon as marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, who takes a huge risk to sign Jordan to Nike.

The movie is based on the real-life events surrounding Jordan's historic deal with Nike. Before signing with Nike, Jordan had been courted by Adidas and Converse, but ultimately it was Nike that won the bidding war. In the film, Sonny Vaccaro is portrayed as the mastermind behind the deal, convincing Jordan and his family to sign with Nike despite initial doubts.

The movie Air premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and received positive critical reception. While the film takes some creative liberties with the true story, it stays largely faithful to the real-life events surrounding Jordan's signing with Nike. The movie's climax depicts the moment when Jordan signs the contract with Nike, securing a percentage of the revenue from the sale of each Air Jordan and a car for himself, as stipulated by his mother.

One interesting aspect of the film is that Michael Jordan is never shown fully on screen. Instead, the camera catches him from the side and from the back in quick, vague glimpses. Director Ben Affleck purposely filmed Jordan that way to leave his image in the peripheral of the film while still maintaining his importance to the Nike executives and their deal. The film also takes some creative liberties with the portrayal of Sonny Vaccaro's role in the signing, but overall it stays true to the spirit of the true story.

Article continues below advertisement

Air movie Ending Explained

The movie "Air" directed by Ben Affleck and written by Alex Convery is based on the true story of Michael Jordan's deal with Nike, which revolutionized the world of basketball. The film stars Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Viola Davis, and Chris Tucker and premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival, receiving positive critical reception. The film ends with Sonny Vaccaro, a marketing executive, and his team getting Michael Jordan signed with Nike in a deal that benefited both the shoe company and the athlete. Before signing, Michael's mother, Deloris Jordan, stipulated that her son received a percentage of the revenue from the sale of each Air Jordan, and a car. Nike CEO Phil Knight ultimately agreed to the deal.

The film purposefully does not show Michael Jordan's face as the actor who plays him, Damian Young, is only caught from the side and back. Affleck wanted the audience to project their memories of Jordan onto the film, keeping him in the peripheral while still maintaining his importance to the Nike executives and their deal.

The movie makes some changes to the real-life story, including how Sonny met Deloris Jordan, with the movie showing him visiting her unannounced instead of over the phone. Additionally, the movie leaves out that Sonny was fired from Nike in 1991, and there was some drama regarding his role in signing Michael Jordan, with Knight and Jordan claiming he played but a small role. The film also depicts Sonny taking a huge risk by bypassing Michael Jordan's agent and betting on Jordan's potential appeal and skills.

In the movie, Phil Knight initially resists Sonny's budget request to sign the Jordans and run the basketball division. However, after several conversations and a jog to clear his head, Phil realizes that the Michael Jordan deal is worth the risk and decides to fully back it.

Article continues below advertisement

Air movie Review

The movie "Air" is a story about how Nike signed Michael Jordan in 1984 and created the iconic Air Jordan sneaker that became the most famous and sought-after shoe in history. The film is directed by Ben Affleck, who emphasizes strong writing, veteran performers, and venerable behind-the-scenes craftspeople. The script by Alex Convery is sharp and snappy, and Affleck tells the story of how Nike nabbed Jordan by creating a shoe that was a representation of his soon-to-be iconic persona in a form that made us feel as if we could reach such heights. The interactions within the mundane spaces of offices, conference rooms, and production labs make "Air" such a joy.

The cast, which includes Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, and Viola Davis, delivers fantastic performances that add weight and wisdom to the film. Affleck hammers home the fact that the story takes place in the mid-1980s through wall-to-wall needle drops and overbearing pop culture references, making it a timeless underdog story of grit, dreams, and moxie. Overall, the movie is a solid, mid-budget film that is both old-fashioned and alive and crowd-pleasing.



Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.

Is the movie Air based on a True Story: FAQs

1. What is the movie "Air" about?

The movie "Air" is a post-apocalyptic science fiction thriller released in 2015, directed by Christian Cantamessa and produced by Skybound Entertainment. The film follows the story of two workers, Bauer and Cartwright, who are tasked with maintaining an underground facility designed to keep the last remaining survivors of a catastrophic event alive.

2. What is the movie "Air" based on?

The movie is based on the real-life events surrounding Jordan's historic deal with Nike. Before signing with Nike, Jordan had been courted by Adidas and Converse, but ultimately it was Nike that won the bidding war. In the film, Sonny Vaccaro is portrayed as the mastermind behind the deal, convincing Jordan and his family to sign with Nike despite initial doubts.

3. What is the ending of the movie "Air Jordan"?

The movie "Air Jordan" ends with Sonny Vaccaro, a marketing executive, and his team successfully getting Michael Jordan signed with Nike in a deal that benefited both the shoe company and the athlete. Before signing, Michael's mother, Deloris Jordan, stipulated that her son received a percentage of the revenue from the sale of each Air Jordan, and a car. Nike CEO Phil Knight ultimately agreed to the deal.

Advertisement