AIR (2023)

April 10, 2023

Greetings again from the darkness. “Where’s the Beef?” That iconic Wendy’s TV commercial featuring Clara Peller is but one of the many references flashed during the opening montage designed to ensure every viewer understands we are headed back to 1984. Yes, it’s been nearly 40 years since Michael Jordan was drafted third overall by the Chicago Bulls. An important point to make is that this is only tangentially a basketball movie, and it’s certainly not a Michael Jordan profile. SPACE JAM (1996) had more basketball and more Jordan than this one. Instead, this is a rare business movie … specifically the story of how one decision by Nike not only saved their basketball shoe division, but also revolutionized the entire sports shoe market and the relationship between shoe manufacturers and athletes (at all levels, though the focus here is the NBA).

Chicago native Alex Convery’s script (his first feature film) had long been on Hollywood’s blacklist of screenplays, and it wasn’t until lifelong friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon got involved that the project gained legs. The two buddies previously won an Oscar for their GOOD WILL HUNTING (1997) screenplay, and Affleck won a Best Picture Oscar for producing ARGO (2012). This time, in addition to their script tweaks, Affleck appears as Nike CEO Phil Knight (he of the grape Porsche), while Damon stars as Nike recruiting expert, Sonny Vaccaro.

At this point in 1984, Nike has recently gone public, having built their reputation on running shoes. However, the basketball division has never really succeeded due to the dominance of industry leaders Converse and Adidas. In fact, Vaccaro has been warned by Knight that the division could be shut down by the board of directors if this year’s budget isn’t turned into a pot of gold. Vaccaro, a recognized guru in scouting basketball talent, seems to be working from a point of desperation … or perhaps it’s excitement … when he becomes obsessed with signing Michael Jordan. Hilarious and profane exchanges with Jordan’s powerhouse agent, David Falk (Chris Messina) offer little hope, so Vaccaro sees only one chance at success – a personal visit to the Jordan home in North Carolina. This is typically a taboo move, and one that causes grief for Vaccaro from all sides.

It’s at this initial meeting with Jordan’s parents, Deloris (EGOT Viola Davis) and James (Julius Tennon, also Ms. Davis’ real life husband) where the door cracks for Vaccaro due to his sincerity and idealism. The battle at the corporate office finds Phil Knight reminding Vaccaro who’s in charge, Vaccaro reminding Knight of the risk-taking that built the company, and marketing director Rob Strasser (Jason Bateman) doing what he can to inject rational thought, while hoping to keep his job. As the big presentation approaches, it’s shoe designer Peter Moore (Matthew Maher), who pulls a rabbit out of the hat with his design and name for the shoe. Maher is fabulously awkward during his scene-stealing. There has always been conflict on who came up with “Air Jordan”, Moore or Falk, and the film handles this admirably.

Damon gets a few scenes to rattle off big moments of dialogue, but none matches his peak inspirational soliloquy during the presentation. And this despite the rapid-fire musings of Chris Tucker. Tucker, in a rare big screen appearance, plays Howard White, who would become Jordan’s personal handler (and friend) for Nike over the years. As you might guess, it’s the always terrific Viola Davis who outshines everyone. Her final phone call with Vaccaro is a thing of beauty, and a moment that will likely find her in awards discussion at year end.

Three-time Oscar winning cinematographer (and 10-time nominee) Robert Richardson finds the perfect throwback look for the film, while Costume Designer Charlese Antoinette Jones captures the frumpy look of Vaccaro and the arrogance of Knight and Falk. The only real weakness here stems from director Affleck’s insistence on over-doing the “remember 1984” moments with music and cultural references … including cracks at the expense of Kurt Rambis and the late Mel Turpin. No real suspense exists since the entire world knows Jordan signed with Nike, but the risk-taking in business is reference numerous times. While many kids truly dreamed of being like Mike, many Business majors and CEOs dreamed of being like Knight. The best comparison here is probably MONEYBALL (2011), since at its core, this is the story of an underdog.

Currently showing nationwide in theaters, will stream on Prime Video later this year.

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

BILLY LYNN’S LONG HALFTIME WALK (2016)

November 17, 2016

billy-lynn Greetings again from the darkness. “Thank you for your service.” For those of us who have never served in the military, we say the words because we don’t know how else to show our appreciation. Do the words ring hollow to those in uniform? Maybe. Probably. But how else can we honor these brave souls? What if we have them share a stage with a pop singing group during halftime of a football game? It’s this line between honor and propaganda that takes up much of the new movie from two-time Oscar winning director Ang Lee (Life of Pi, Brokeback Mountain).

The story is based on Ben Fountain’s 2012 novel, and revolves around soldier Billy Lynn’s and his fellow “Bravo” squad members as they make the rounds back home (in 2004) for publicity after their intense battle sequence is caught on camera. There is much at play here: how the soldiers interact with each other, how they are treated by the general public, how they are used by the team’s owner and the Army for self-serving reasons, and how Billy juggles the stress of war, the spotlight of heroism, and the demands from his family.

Director Lee opted to experiment with the ultra-realism of the new 120 frames per second in 4k 3D, rather than the standard 24 fps. Though this may seem like a minor detail that shouldn’t be addressed in a review of the movie, it’s impossible to ignore this impact. Technical advancements in film and digital have resulted in some exciting new effects for movies, but this high speed approach creates a soap opera look and feel that will likely be disorienting to many viewers. Although the full effect will only be available in New York and Los Angeles (due to shortage of projectors), the clarity on the close-ups is distracting, while leaving the background quite fuzzy and out of focus. Many will find this new look to be “not right” for a movie, and prefer the traditional look. Others may embrace the heightened sense of reality … of being right there with the characters. Of course, this is Ang Lee’s film, so there is no shortage of stunning visuals and expert shots.

Beyond the technical aspects, this movie is simply a bit clunky to watch, not very well written (screenplay by Jean-Christophe Castelli), not very well acted, and has an overall awkward and unfinished feel to it. Kristen Stewart plays Billy’s sister, and her limited screen time is the best part of the movie. Newcomer Joe Alwyn makes a decent reluctant (and lucky) hero in playing Billy, but he doesn’t have the chops to overcome the script weakness and the burden of carrying so many scenes. This is especially obvious in his unrealistic bonding scenes with cheerleader Faison (played by Makenzie Leigh). Their scenes together are nearly unwatchable.

Supporting work comes from Vin Diesel as Billy’s philosophical officer in recurring flashbacks to the war, Garrett Hedlund as the current squad leader, a miscast Steve Martin as team owner Norm Oglesby (a Jerry Jones type), and Chris Tucker as the incessantly yammering agent/producer trying to put a movie deal together for the soldiers. Other minor contributors include Tim Blake Nelson, Bruce McKinnon (in horrible make-up), Ismael Cruz Cordova, Deidre Lovejoy, and a couple of All-Pro players in Richard Sherman and JJ Watt.

Since there are some interesting and important elements to the story, the assumption here is that most effort went towards the experimental technical aspects. More attention to scene detail could have more effectively contrasted the soldier’s take on war versus the never-ending inclination of Americans to turn most anything into more and bigger entertainment … even Destiny’s Child isn’t enough. The questionable filmmaking decisions leave us with the shell of a good story, and too many sappy close-ups of actors emoting directly to the camera lens. The soldier vs hero debate deserves better, and the propaganda aspect deserves a more critical eye.

watch the trailer:

 

 

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Posted by David Ferguson

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012)

November 24, 2012

 Greetings again from the darkness. The film is exactly what you would expect from a screwball romantic comedy steeped in drama based on bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, Philadelphia Eagles fanatics, a ballroom dancing contest, adultery, Hemingway, and a lead character who jogs while wearing a trash bag. Maybe not exactly what you would expect, but likely much more.

If you were told instead that the story is based on two damaged souls who help heal each other through dancing, you would have every reason to skip this one. However, as written and directed by David O Russell (The Fighter) and based on Matthew Quick‘s novel, this story is a frenetic, emotional roller coaster ride that provides a glimmer of hope for the two damaged lead characters, while reminding that each of us may be a bit off-center in some way. Now add in the best young actress working today (Jennifer Lawrence just turned 22), a rare performance from Robert DeNiro where he seems fully engaged, a pulling back the curtain on Bradley Cooper as much more than a pretty face, and one of the best and most pointed soundtracks in recent history …and  you have one of the best films of the year.

What you notice very early on is that what could be considered a trite story line, is instead pounding you with sharp, witty dialogue that pulls no punches in directness. The many aspects of family and emotional support are given time thanks to Pat (Bradley Cooper) being released after 8 months in a mental institution. He was sent there when he snapped after finding his wife in a compromising position with another man. Perfectly understandable if you ask me, but clearly he is the explosive one despite his claims to the contrary. An uncomfortable dinner party introduces him to Tiffany (Ms. Lawrence) whose husband has recently died and her coping skills have been shared with most of those in her workplace. This odd couple spark immediately and the wild ride begins.

Pat’s wife Nikki (Brea Bee) has issued a restraining order and his strategy to win her back consists of a positive attitude and maintaining control of his emotions. His supporters include his mother (Jacki Weaver, who was so great in Animal Kingdom), his OCD father (DeNiro) who so wants to re-connect with his son, his friend (John Ortiz) whose own marriage (to icy Julia Stiles) is a messy mess, his buddy from the asylum (a funny and not over the top Chris Tucker), and of course, Tiffany. The only real problem is that each of these supporters are teetering in their own way – just like Pat.

 The brilliance of this movie is the balance struck between the near violent emotional outbursts and the sharp, exacting words spouted by each of the characters. Director Russell once again shows his flair for working class northeasterners. He understands these tough as nails people who wear their emotions on their sleeves. These people are as likely to punch you as hug you … both being acts of love.

The soundtrack deserves special mention. It is very unique and varied, with each song serving an exact purpose. Especially keen are Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour”, Led Zeppelin’s “What is and What Should Be”, and “The Girl from the North Country” a Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash duet. When the music strikes a harmony with the scene, the movie is all the stronger. Rarely do we get the perfect storm of script, direction, acting, music and relevance.

SEE THIS MOVIE IF: complex relationships between characters facing life’s daily battles carries a certain artistic symmetry for you OR you just want to see acting of the highest quality led by a fabulous Jennifer Lawrence, a resurgent Robert DeNiro and a surprisingly talented Bradley Cooper

SKIP THIS MOVIE IF: you prefer your Rom-Com’s to be lightweight and light-hearted for easy laughs

watch the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj5_FhLaaQQ

5 Comments | Comedy, Drama, Rom-Com | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by David Ferguson