Jerry Maguire

 

 

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Well, I'm incredibly late to the Jerry Maguire party, but I'm glad I finally made it. I thought this was just a comedy, but I should have known better because laughs alone usually don't generate the kind of success this movie enjoyed. This is a wonderful, feel-good movie with a surprisingly effective emotional payoff. Tom Cruise is great, Cuba Gooding, Jr., steals every scene he's in, and that Renee Zellweger is nothing short of perfect. They even threw in a clip of McGarrett on Hawaii Five-O and sent me away with Bob Dylan singing over the credits - in my book, that's going above and beyond the call of duty. And I never tire of seeing someone break away from the cynicism of big business and actually put some heart back into an increasingly heartless way of life.

Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is, of course, a bigshot sports agent who has it all - then loses it all. For some inexplicable reason, he develops a conscience late one night, puts together this huge "mission statement" all about reducing the number of clients and giving those remaining the genuine personal touch, and sends it to everyone in the company. With a schlep of a boss like Bob Sugar (the always annoying Jay Mohr), his days with the company are, not surprisingly, numbered. He vows to start his own company, desperately trying to hold on to the clients he has been representing - but all he ends up taking with him are outrageous Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) and Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger), an accountant who was truly inspired by what he had written. It doesn't seem like much, but he really has all he will ever need - he just doesn't realize it until the end of the movie.

Life on his own is quite a struggle, especially after he breaks up with his vicious fiance (Kelly Preston), and I know it must be truly demoralizing to be defeated time and time again by Jay Mohr. Rod Tidwell, a great player who doesn't get the notice (or money) he thinks he deserves, stays loyal to him, though, for rather inexplicable reasons - even after Maguire fails to get him the kind of big money he is looking for in a new contract. Dorothy also stays with him, and Maguire grows increasingly close to her and her little boy Ray (Jonathan Lipnicki). There's love in the air, and Maguire's famous problem with emotional intimacy makes what should be the simplest thing in the world immensely complicated. We see a lot of Maguire at his worst - double-crossed, drunk, beaten up, wallowing in self-pity. He never gives up, though, and that's what's important. I find it a little problematic that he did not apply the principles of his "mission statement" to the way he lived his life, but - in his defense - guys tend to be pretty dense about this kind of thing (and would that we all had a Dorothy to help us see the light).

There's a wonderful cast on display here, with uncommonly meaningful secondary characters: there's little Ray, of course, but Dorothy's bitter yet loving sister Laurel (Bonnie Hunt) and Rod Tidwell's wife Marcee (Regina King) really do lay claim to a commanding presence in the story. You can also make a little game of spotting all of the sports personalities that make cameos (usually silent ones, thankfully) in the film.

This isn't a comedy; it's a serious story that just happens to feature a lot of laughs. It's a commentary on the depersonalization of business, a complicated yet wonderfully sweet love story, and a movie with a surprisingly big heart. And I love Renee Zellweger. As far as I'm concerned, she - not Tom Cruise - was the star of this film.

I never get tired of Jerry Maquire. This film and Risky Business are my favorite Tom Cruise films. I prefer when Cruise doesn't know it all, has human fallibilities, but we all know that's impossible, not Mission Impossible. The truth is, Tom is one of the biggest movie stars ever and he's beautiful to look at for a short guy. How could anything go wrong in Mr. Perfect's world? That's why Jerry Maguire is so appealing. Even the handsome, fast talking charmer needs the help of his friends, his gal, and a Dale Carnegie enhancement course. Cuba Gooding Jr. has something Tom doesn't, a love for his wife that is nothing less than inspiring. On the other hand, Gooding has no love for his football fans. Tom can help him on the PR front, but then Renee Zellweger and her cute little son show loyalty. The grand finale, Jerry Maguire loves his wife. We all should love our wives. Amen brother.

And you find a film full of soul. JERRY MAGUIRE shows Tom Cruise as an actor, not a box office attraction. He works the central character into a likeable, tortured 30+ professional, looking not for redemption, but purpose more in the vein of (Maguire's) father ("My dad worked 38 years for the United Way," he laments. "When he retired, he said: 'I wish they would have given me a more comfortable chair'.") Cruise has his star turn polished by outstanding support (Rene Zellwegger, Bonnie Hunt and Jay Mohr, in a role you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy), the hyperness of Cuba Gooding, Jr. (who sings "What's Going On?" instead of one of his fathers classics) and Cameron Crowe's great script and direction. No sequel, please. Greatness can stand on its own.

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4.0 out of 5 stars A Feel Great Movie,
This picture was the best and really the last time that Cruise was at the top of his game as an actor. The material was great. Read more

Published on Jun 5 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars "You had me at Hello"
This is probably one of the best romantic comedies that the 90s dished out. It has everything for anyone. Cameron Crowe knows how to draw an audience. Read more

Published on May 10 2004 by Ryne Williams

2.0 out of 5 stars A Classic?! Not Quite...
Although it starts promising enough, this movie soon turns into another predictable and unsurprising romantic comedy. Read more

Published on Mar 28 2004 by gonn1000

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
Some thoughts I had while reading the reviews...

1. Complaints about the lack of Chemistry between Cruise and Zelwegger.

THINK: As Maguire simply put it... Read more

Published on Feb 27 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars Love and Loyalty
"Without your love,
It's a honky-tonk parade.
Without your love,
It's a melody played
In a penny arcade. Read more

Published on Feb 27 2004 by Nicholas Stix

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad...whenever you're not CRINGING!
Like "Vanilla Sky," Cameron Crowe's "Jerry Maguire" also tries to dispense some existential, quasi-Eastern wisdom...but with much more mixed results. Read more

Published on Feb 24 2004 by Eduardo Nietzsche

4.0 out of 5 stars It would be a TRULY great film, except....
for the R rating. This film would be truly inspirational for young people. Unfortunately, the nude sex scene and the shot of all those behinds in the locker room screen these kids... Read more

Published on Feb 18 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars NO WORDS
I wanted to write something really strong about this movie,something that would impress...but the truth is that the movie itself does a pretty good job at impressing without me... Read more

Published on Feb 10 2004 by angelflory

4.0 out of 5 stars Good movie, in spite of itself
This movie has its problems. Tom Cruise is simply not credible in an adult role. Renee Zellweger apparently learned acting technique by watching daytime television. Read more

Published on Feb 5 2004 by Clifford Story

5.0 out of 5 stars SHOW ME THE FUNNY ! ! ! !
This movie rocks, and not just for Middle America. The well-hidden edge of this film is gloomy, nasty, bitter, and cuts at every sleazy little phony out there--and that very... Read more

Published on Jan 30 2004 by Judge Knott

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