Jerry McGuire

This is one of the most unlikely pairing I have seen in awhile. The pairing of movie bombshell Tom Cruise and, at the time, not so known Cuba Gooding Jr. It was proven that this unlikely pairing was one not too be reckoned with if you take into account the sales at the box office and the Academy Award win for the newcommer Gooding.

This movies starts how most movies end, with an emotional exodus of the lead characters in to the sunset, or in this case, out the office door. The offbeat directorial style found in the film should be the first indication that Cameron Crowe's movie is not the typical life story. At the outset of the story, top-of-his-game sports agent Jerry Maguire, played by Tom Cruise, suffers a pang of conscience that causes him to stay up all night and write an impromptu 25 page long rant entitled "The Things We Think and Do Not Say: The Future of Our Business." In the morning, after all is said and done and in a fit of rage, Jerry has this mission statement photocopied, bound, and distributed company-wide, eliminating all possibility of turning back. In this liberating manifesto, Jerry proposes that his agency eliminate the "business as usual" and refocus its efforts toward quality rather than quantity. This would place the firm's values in the people that it represents dollars that it makes for the people it represents.

Jerry's revelation is the kind of yuppie crisis of faith that other movies structurally build toward, the kind of page turning drama that signals a successful conclusion just around the bend and better days ahead. However, in Jerry McGuire, the bold act is only the beginning. Of course, Jerry's midnight rants and raves cause him to be fired within the next week, forcing him to confront the wisdom of his ideals. Only two other people flock to his camp when he leaves his company. Dorothy Boyd, played by Renee Zellweger, is an agency bookkeeper who defects with Jerry, and the aforementioned Rod Tidwell, a second-tier wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, played by the Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Jerry's crisis, however, is interesting because it does not really force him to question the root of what he does, only the manner in which the business is conducted.

Though the movie tries to display other perks of knowledge, this is the core of the entire movie. After being abruptly let got from his high profile sports agency position, Jerry is just as swiftly abandoned by his high-powered fiance, who is an un needed addition to the movie in my opinion. Once the Queen-B is out of the picture, is not long before Jerry and Dorothy are found to have been bitten by the love bug. In one instance, Dorothy declares her love for McGuire by saying that she loves him for not who he is but for being "the man he nearly is". Though we see that genuilly feels the same for her, he still has to learn the difference between loyalty and love. We have seen Cruise play this type of smooth operator before this movie. Handsomely clad with his signature thick locks, button-down yupster and a Cheshire grin.

What is fascinating is the depth of humanity Cruise finds within the character of Jerry and Cruise's generosity toward the other actors in this film. Showing a generosity that allows all the other performers to shine and create vivid and memorable characters. Cuba Gooding, Jr. practically steals the show as the professional football player with a mouth and attitude as big as his heart. As his proud and loving wife, played by Regina King, delivers an accurate portrait of a proud black woman and football spouse. The other then newcomer, Renee Zellweger takes to the screen like a true natural, and as her caustic yet loving sister, Bonnie Hunt winningly serves as the audience's eyes and ears. Captivating new kid star on the block Jonathan Lipnicki demonstrated the truth in the old show-biz adage about never working with dogs, children, or other natural scene stealers. Very much in keeping with Cameron Crowe's previous writing and directing projects Say Anything and Singles, Jerry McGuire is another sweet movie wrapped around an emotional core.