Loyalty, integrity, Friends, friendship, love …… Does any of these words or some of these words or may be all of them ring any bells to you???
If the answer is yes you may proceed and read till end . For others I am sorry to waste a few second of your otherwise precious time.
Jerry Maguire, my dear friends is about all of these above mentioned words or it is rather about all of these above mentioned words made alive.
For this once forgive me people for I will be mostly talking of the characters and the psyche of the characters in this movie. I won’t be giving much thought to other aspects.
I specially ask the purist MSians to forgive me who won’t consider a movie review complete without mentioning all the other aspects.
But believe me , the heart of this movie beats in its character’s psyche. The way they carried their emotions , the way they lived various words mentioned in the beginning of review.
The Review
The Plot
Director: Cameron Crowe
As I said there is no plot as such but still for the sake of records it’s the story of Jerry Maguire a sports agent who decides to give up everything including his job, his materialistic fiancé just for the sake of principles. He leaves the office with a fish he called Flipper and a colleague Dorothy by his side to represent Rod , a not so famous athlete as his only client.
Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise)
I present you people Jerry Maguire the character and the movie in itself.
My personal association with Jerry Maguire is more then that of a good movie or a good character. I see very much of myself and very much of Barney Livingston(from doctors by Erich Segal) in him.
Tom cruise couldn’t be better as a sports agent Jerry Maguire. A person whose mantra is “always stick to Friends “.
In his own words: I'm not a guy who runs. I stick. Good at friendship, bad at intimacy.
A person who truly treasure loyalty ad integrity. A person who know how to be a very good friend. The kind of a friend anyone of us would die to have by our side.
He wrote a memo ''The Things We Think and Do Not Say: The Future of Our Business''. he was praised but fired for his ideology. In the crisis of conscience the man followed his heart and fought for his cause.
A confused lover, a trustworthy friend, a lovely person and a passionate professional this is what Jerry Maguire is.
See him in:
A scene when drunk and depressed Jerry is talking to Dorothy saying:
“you and your kid are safe with Jerry Maguire .
I am the survivor , I am the lord of……..i am….i am drunk”
Dorothy (Renee Zelweger)
A single mother who made the impulsive and tough decision to follow Jerry Maguire.
To follow a man she loved, a man who inspired her, a man turned down by everyone else and declared a loser.
Why?? For they carry the same values , same principles and above all for the major reason i.e. LOVE. The least demanding character you would have ever seen. Several academy award winning Renee was perfect choice to play Dorothy.
See her in:
A Scene where jerry comes back to express his feelings and says
“Jerry : Okay, if this is where it has to happen, then this is where it has to happen. Tonight our little project has had a big night. But it wasn’t complete. It wasn’t nearly complete because you weren’t there to spend it with me. We live in a cynical world where there’s always competition. I love you. You complete me.
Dorothy : Shut up....just shut up. You had me at hello. You had me at hello. “
The kid
I don’t know his name but he is cute , he is sweet , he is adorable (Oh! I love kids).
I don’t know how to explain it but this kid is an important part of this beautiful movie.
See him in:
A scene talking to Drunk Jerry Maguire or talking to Rod over the phone .
The kid will certainly steal your heart.
Rod(Cuba Guding Jr.)
Cuba guding Jr. was a nice choice to act Rod, an honest and down to earth person, a loving husband, a caring father and a great friend.
A man whose mantra is “show me the money”.
But he crave for it cause he needs it to support his family. He don’t let his desires go overboard.
See him in:
A scene dancing and saying Show me the money.
Or see him at one point giving everything up and saying:
Tell me what to do Jerry?
If you say this is all we can get then this is it.
A lovely character played by Cuba and not to mention the humor he adds to movie.
Verdict
What do I say. It is one of my all time favorite.
Cameron Crowe has done a remarkable job in making this movie.
We are living in a cynical world as Jerry says. When values , loyalty , integrity are considered out of fashion this movie shows that there is much more to life then a heavy bank balance.
Those of you who haven’t watched it please go as its not a movie not to be missed. Those who have watched it tell me what do you have to say about it?
Happy reading
Jai
p.s. The title is explained in comment section
