Jerry Maguire (96)

3/12/97

Ok, I'm not gonna lie and say I didn't like it. It was enjoyable, and as a die-hard NFL fan, it was fun to see some of the behind-the-scenes stuff. Jerry is a sports agent at a powerful Los Angeles management firm. He's always running from this client to that client, while talking to another client on the cell phone. After two minor mishaps with child fans, he gets up in the middle of the night, for reasons we don't really find out, and types out a 'mission statement'. This statement is full of humanity and compassion, which of course is heresy to the rest of the agents. He is subsequently fired at a trendy beachside cafe. In a hilarious scene he and the guy that fired him, immediately begin calling clients for sole representation. At the end of the firefight, Maguire ends up with only one. A brash, complaining wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals.
I've often told people that I think Tom Cruise is one of our most underrated actors. If he wasn't so damn cute, he's be taken more seriously. Sure, he's got the Scientology thing hanging over his head, he may or may not be gay, he's paranoid about his whiny voice, but if you've seen who he works with and remember how good they were I think you'll agree. He plays opposite Paul Newman as he won an Academy Award for THE COLOR OF MONEY, then he plays opposite Dustin Hoffman as he wins an Academy Award for RAINMAN. Plus he rocked the screen in BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY. Although I don't feel sorry for him for being good looking, but I'm sure he'd be more respected as an actor if he was more normal-looking.
After he's fired he asks for volunteers to leave the firm with him and strike out alone. Only one woman volunteers. Although we're asked to believe it's because of the 'mission statement', I was never convinced she wanted anything more than to get into Tom's pants. Zellweger was cute as can be and had one of those breathy voices that is either the most darling thing you've ever heard (Melanie Griffith) or the most annoying (Jennifer Tilly). She's a fine actress and never gets blown off the screen by those she's around.
Maguire puts all his hopes on Rod Tidwell, who is holding out for free agency. If he gets injured, they will both be in trouble. The scene which is supposed to be some kind of epiphany in front of a live worldwide audience, is so fake and ridiculous, what with the climbing into the stands and such, that the rest of the film kind of suffered.
Tom Cruise Cuba Gooding, Jr. Renee Zellweger Kelly Preston Jerry O'Connell Jay Mohr Regina King Bonnie Hunt Jonathan Lipnicki Eric Stoltz Cinematography by Janusz Kaminsk Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe
40 critics 7.8 Ebert *** Maltin ***^
~~Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture of 1996
~~Academy Award Nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Cameron Crowe
~~Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor for Tom Cruise
~~Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor for Cuba Gooding, Jr.
~~Academy Award Nomination for Best Editing
~~National Board Of Review Winner for Best Actor for Tom Cruise
~~National Board Of Review Winner for Best New Actress for Renee Zellweger
~~Director's Guild Nomination for Best Director for Cameron Crowe
~~Golden Globe Nomination for Best Picture of 1996
~~Golden Globe Winner For Best Actor for Tom Cruise
~~Golden Globe Nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Cuba Gooding, Jr.
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