Jerry Maguire (1996)
Posted by Heather on May 19, 2008
Rated R for language and sexuality.
139 Minutes
Written And Directed By: Cameron Crowe
But if anybody else wants to come with me, this moment will be the ground floor of something real and fun and inspiring and true in this godforsaken business and we will do it together! Who’s coming with me besides…”Flipper” here? -Jerry Maguire
Synopsis
Jerry Maguire is your typical high-powered sports agent, who has been corrupted so he can make his millions and make his clients rich. It’s a cut throat industry, and Jerry is cutthroat as they come. He loves who and what he is, until one night he faces a battle of morality, goes on a manic tangent and writes a mission statement about changes that should be made in the company, though some may call it a memo. Jerry’s mission statement is applauded in the office, especially by an accountant Dorothy Boyd whom secretly fancies him. Bob Sugar, his boss fires him and Jerry rushes to take as many clients with him as he can. They all decline, save Rod Tidwell, an ego maniac wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals. When Jerry leaves the office he asked his fellow colleagues and underlings to join him on his way to start his own business. Only Dorothy follows, and the people he thought were his friends watch him walk out the door. Jerry’s life seems to be falling apart, or is it a new beginning?
Review
Cameron Crowe structures the entire film around the relationships of his three main characters, and makes them connect with each other in a witty, and palpable way. The change that Jerry goes through is heeded by the influence of Rod and Dorothy, but his own behavior is reflected in changes in them as well. The film is obviously based on a romantic theme but balanced perfectly with a comedic tone. By it’s end, it gives you a genuinely satisfied feeling.
Jerry Maguire has a large appeal because it’s so versatile. The romance is not over the top, the comedy borders slap stick but never crosses that line, and the dramtic performances are there, but the level of sweetness and fun never extinguishes completely. It’s a film that balances complex character structures, explores different film genres together as one, and also entertains on a level that just about anyone could connect with. It was undoubtably one of the best films of 1996.
Cast
- Tom Cruise as Jerry Maguire
- Renee Zellweger as Dorothy Boyd
- Cuba Gooding Jr. as Rod TIdwell
- Regina King as Marcee Tidwell
- Jonathan Lipnicki as Ray Boyd
- Jay Mohr as Bob Sugar
- Kelly Preston as Avery Bishop
- Bonnie Hunt as Laurel
- Jerry O’Connell as Frank Cushman
Tom Cruise took a break from his action hero status and came back to play a role that was versatile in nature. A tough guy that metamorphoses into a morally right man, who still hasn’t lost the fire to succeed in his field. The complexity and confusion of Jerry, and the fact that he isn’t always even likable, was a risky but smart choice for Cruise. The role of Dorothy Boyd opened the door to a new star, Renee Zellweger, who not only stole scenes with her infectious sweetness, but her ability to perform dramatically as a single mom, looking for inspiration and direction in her life. Cuba Gooding Jr. burst onto the screen with scene stealing comic timing and an overwhelming likability, even though his character on the surface seemed to be no more than an arrogant jock.
Ratings And Suggestions
Jerry Maguire is about finding yourself and finding love. Not just love in a relationship, but a passion and joy for existing and doing what you are inspired to be. It’s about being able to take pride in who you are, and being able to persevere over adversity and being able to be successful in a corrupt system, and still chasing your dream. This is a motion picture that is absolutely infectious. I adore Jerry Maguire, and so will you. Four out of four stars.
