There's genius everywhere, but until they turn pro, it's like popcorn in the pan. Some pop... Some don’t….: Jerry Maguire
When I was dressing myself up for the office to-day, wearing my round-neck white T-shirt, then the dark green shirt over it, black pair of trousers- and then my sun-shades, only to reach the place called office, I suddenly remembered this film. This Man.
The man called Mr. Jerry Maguire. I know you would say great film, deserved a Oscar, but then, I don’t call films good, if I don’t find the characters have some resemblance to our mundane but interesting lives. Thus, I call it good character- Jerry that is. Created in 1996, and played by Tom Cruise.
I like Tom, but I love Jerry more.
The synopsis of the film as they say, is like this,
Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is a top agent at Sports Management International, he is handsome, charming, and devoted to his glorious client roster and stunning fiancee Avery Bishop (Kelly Preston). Jerry is unquestionably master of his universe. Trouble is, Jerry's mind, mouth and soul are usually on automatic pilot. In fact, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Jerry Maguire that a sudden dose of failure can't cure. After he is fired for writing a stirring, visionary suggestion for his firm's future - a Mission Statement that suggested his firm should focus on real caring for fewer clients instead of production-line sports management - Jerry is forced to start over... from scratch.
THE THINGS WE THINK AND DO NOT SAY (The Future of Our Business)
With his only client, Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), a second-tier football player, and his wistful young assistant, Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zelweger), Jerry sets out for a very uncertain future. Along the way, they will discover the value of true human interaction, love and respect and prove to the world what is possible if you live by your principles.
Great direction, amazing performances- even by this kid Jonathan Lipnicki makes this film very interesting treat to watch. But then there is more to this film than just the visual treat. 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. Now let me, split the character, wide open.
Jerry- is smart, and professional. He is liked, loved by all. He is the entertainer, whom everyone likes to be with. He has a girl-friend- who is very beautiful and he is very loyal to him- in spite of the fact he never felt the absence of women in his life. But then he has a heart- which works much faster than the mind of his.
Perhaps, he identifies the genius within his apparently popular, smart frame when he confronts a young kid of a football player. He identifies his soul, and then he pens down his mission statement.
Reactions, are great. All say, that this is perhaps the best initiative that could have happened. But then all is not fine, with people like Jerry. If many love him, then many hate him too, and few understand him.
The office did not- and so did not his girl-friend, because soon Jerry would not have any money, to flaunt around. What would he have? He would or perhaps may have emotions, more. Emotions call tears, as fights may start. Fights to make survival turn into a worthwhile living. His girlfriend gives him a punch, and then goes away.
It is funny, in that break-off scene, Jerry thinks he is actually unfair to the lady, but then perhaps he was not.
And then came, Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.)- a self acclaimed failure, who has no other option but to trust Jerry. And Jerry, who has no other option but to trust this simple Man. This selfishness in both of them brings out the best friendship. Not only that, it brings the best in them. Tidwell, becomes a star, and Jerry proves his professional worth, in a “no-hope” situation.
But then in life, sometimes when our values are challenged, we feel so low, that we fail to recognise who we are? We are confident, but then so many people around us, choose to misinterpret us, give us pain that we feel, are you fit to live with the values we cherish?
Then we need to look at ourselves, through some-one else’s eye perhaps? This happens to people like Jerry, who are pure souls, great hearts and minds, but then too popular to early.
But life is such, Jerry is a tough nut to crack. He breaks down. He breaks down, indeed and then came the two people who did not motivate him at all, but turned him into a self-motivator.
Two people- Dorothy Boyd, a 26 year old lady ( nine years younger to Jerry) and her five year old son- Ray who act in Jerry’s life like that.
Jerry- drunk, and the talks with Dorothy’s kid at her house, perhaps, best reflects what Jerry is…
For me the best scene in the film, where Jerry – the kid is shown for the first time. But the person, who makes the kid, unvanquished to rise like a phoneix was Dorothy Boyd.
Dorothy- Nine years younger to Jerry- a not-so-good looking simple, single mother. Surrounded by age-old but decent value systems, and a hope that yes some day this belief would make all of them shine.
Respect in its unconditional best- is reflected by Dorothy’s trust on Jerry. Both of them respect eachother. And that is how, love grows between them.
Jerry, apparently who can charm anyone, starts liking this simple lady out of sheer respect and simplicity of her persona. Probably Jerry finds out that it is she and her little son who trusts him the most, who understand him the most, who believes he can do it, the most.
Yes, they would be there even if Jerry does not have money, even if Jerry has to take on any fights to prove his worth. They would be there.
And Jerry can take long walks in the park with these two.
The affair between both Jerry and Dorothy starts with the point when both are looking for some sort of emotional crutch for eachother. In fact, I think more than Dorothy, Jerry is the one who is looking for the emotional crutch, since, he was the one who is grounded from the top.
And though for Jerry perhaps it was just a emotional crutch initially, it turns into sheer respect and he realizes that in the last act of the scene, when he misses his wife, when he again feels he is lonely at the top.
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.
Jerry Maguire helps me to grow- and feel that even I would identify myself. And then, I would embarrass all those, who apparently feel great by back-stabbing.
Yes, you people…there are many- Just wait and watch. Will surely hit you back.
Surely, Surely……and hey, you all don’t wish me luck or something please…..you just wait and watch….
I am just waiting for the right Tidwell and Ray. Dorothy……well….
Kid is least fictional, but then kid, sees life in a way, which is stranger than fiction….
Look at the last picture in the post that is life all about that……..understanding simplicity, fighting it out together, and winning in the end…….that is all that matters……that is all matters…
Look at yourself through some-one else’s eyes, and when you do that, knowing what really you are, then you would be able to find the genius within yourself.
That is what Jerry does, through Dorothy. He knew what he is made up of always, but then he found the genius, through Dorothy’s eyes….
