A film
review by James Berardinelli for ReelViews.net.
Every time
I think Hollywood has slipped beyond redemption, someone in the system produces
a film like Jerry Maguire that renews
my faith. Apparently, creativity is not dead in the mainstream movie market --
not entirely, at least. This is the kind of movie that reminds me why I started
reviewing in the first place. Jerry
Maguire is magic on celluloid -- fresh, funny, romantic, and upbeat. You'll
leave the theater with a smile on your face and perhaps a tear in your eye.
Personally,
I never really bought Tom Cruise as
the action lead in Mission Impossible.
Here, however, the actor is playing to his strength, which lies in an arena
that demands less testosterone. Leave the stunts and explosions to
Schwarzenegger and Stallone. Cruise is best when he stays low key and flashes
the occasional smile. And, in this picture, surrounded by a superlative
supporting cast, his ability shines. Jerry
Maguire works because we root for the title character, and it's Cruise's
performance that forges the link between his screen personae and the audience.
As the
movie opens, super sports agent Jerry Maguire is facing a crisis of conscience
(that he still possesses one after working in such a cynical, materialistic
business is something of a miracle). He wonders what he has become -- Just another shark in a suit? He
realizes that he hates himself and his place in the world, and laments that, although
he has a lot to say, no one will listen. So, late one night, he writes a
Mission Statement called The Things We
Think and Do Not Say: The Future of Our Business. The essay attacks the
sports agency business, advocating a more humane approach. The next day, a copy
is distributed to everyone in the office. And, although Jerry's co-workers applaud
his courage (Somebody finally said what
had to be said), his bosses are offended, and he loses his job. Only one
client, unremarkable Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), elects to remain
with Jerry as he strikes out on his own. Also joining him is a 26-year old
single mother, Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger), who is so moved by Jerry's Mission Statement that she's willing
to throw away a safe job to be part of his new venture.
In an era
of downsizing and force reductions, it's easy to understand what happens to
Jerry. He speaks his mind, crying out for compassion and caring, only to be
slapped down. He is branded as a loser because he dares to swim against the
heartless, prevalent business currents. Jerry finds himself in deep, uncertain
waters, but his indefatigable spirit, bolstered by tireless support from Rod
and Dorothy, helps him navigate the most dangerous eddies.
Jerry Maguire is about redemption and love. It's
about finding one's heart and soul in a business climate that attempts to rip
both away. Writer/director Cameron Crowe,
[who also wrote and directed Say Anything…
(1989), Singles (1992), Almost Famous (2000), Elizabethtown (2005) and We Bought a Zoo (2011)], brings both a
strong sense of verisimilitude and a lively wit to his film. Even as Jerry Maguire reaches out to the heart,
it tickles the funny bone. Not only does Crowe have a knack for creating
multi-dimensional personalities for secondary characters with minimal screen
time, but he uses traditional formulas in unique ways to serve his themes. For
example, a common sports cliché is integrated into Jerry Maguire in such a way that it doesn't seem cheap or overdone.
It's not the point of the movie; it's just another piece in the overall puzzle.
Cruise,
always a popular box-office draw, shows why he got to the top. With a fine
performance, he forms the glue that holds the production together. Of course,
it helps that the cast includes three stupendous supporting actors (Gooding
Jr., Zellweger and Kelly Preston
playing Jerry’s ex-fiancée Avery), not to mention a child performer (Jonathan Lipnicki, playing Dorothy's
son Ray) who threatens to steal several scenes on cuteness alone.
Cuba
Gooding Jr., who was excellent years ago in his Boyz 'N the Hood debut, but hasn't done much since, invests Rod
with a remarkable level of energy and enthusiasm. And, although his favorite
phrase is Show me the money! we
recognize quickly that a love of family, not greed, is what motivates this
athlete. Regina King (A Thin Line Between
Love and Hate) is wonderful as Rod's fanatically supportive wife. With a
standout performance, she transforms what could have been a minor role into
something noteworthy.
Then
there's Renee Zellweger (The Whole Wide
World), who will undoubtedly receive raves for her portrayal of Dorothy, a
determined woman following her own vision of the yellow brick road. Zellweger
displays an appealing blend of strength and vulnerability, and her chemistry
with Cruise is nearly perfect. Their first romantic scene is charged with a playful,
but undeniable, eroticism. If there's one downside to the actress' appearance
in Jerry Maguire, it's that she's not on screen enough. And, even if Jerry
isn't immediately smitten, we are.
While the
budding romance between Jerry and Dorothy is Jerry Maguire's most enchanting element, the remainder of the film
has the necessary appeal to keep our attention when Zellweger isn't around
(Cruise, on the other hand, is in just about every scene). Crowe, who doesn't
have a subpar entry on his short resume, has crafted another winner here. In
fact, with its attention to detail, top-notch performances, and universal
themes, Jerry Maguire marks his most
successful movie to date. For anyone who has forgotten the feelings that a
wonderful movie can trigger, Jerry
Maguire provides a welcome reminder. [Berardinelli’s rating: ***½ out of 4
stars]
Labels:
comedy, drama, football, romance, sport
