The REAL Best Picture of 1996!

Rating: 10/10 (19 June 2009)

JERRY MAGUIRE is genius! Proof that with the right direction, writing, and acting, a film can be exceptional no matter how untested it's subject matter might be. Who'd have thought a film about a sports agent and his early mid-life crisis of conscience would be such a watchable, enjoyable flick? Not me! The anchor of this wondrous film is none other than Mr. Tom Cruise, who of course plays the title role. This is arguably the best work that Cruise has ever done. He makes you believe that he truly is this man who has had up to this point has lived a very fun, yet unfulfilling existence. The key to this crisis is that Jerry is himself unsure about what the future holds for him, but he takes the risk of going out there and regenerating himself and focusing not on what is profitable, but what is right. Rightfully so, Cruise was nominated for Best Actor by the Academy for this film, and flat out should have won! In retrospect, it shouldn't have even been a question.
Cruise gets magnificent support from newcomer Renee Zellweger (who plays Dorothy Boyd and who should have been nominated for Supporting Actress), Bonnie Hunt (Dorothy's sister Laurel, who I wouldn't have minded getting a nom also!), and Cuba Gooding, Jr. (who actually won Best Supporting Actor as Jerry's sole client NFL wide receiver Rod Tidwell). Special mention should go to Jonathan Lipnicki (as Dorothy's son Ray). Regina King is also wonderful as Rod's wife, Jay Mohr as Jerry's rival agent Bob Sugar, and Kelly Preston as Jerry's girlfriend early in the film.
Dorothy worked at the big firm that Jerry was fired from after his crisis and leaves with him to start his own agency. A very uneasy and uncertain relationship forms and it seems more like a business partnership than anything. Then Jerry forms a special bond with Ray and he wants an instant family, even though it appears he is not in love with Dorothy. Jerry and Rod have an uneasy alliance also as Rod thinks Jerry is only interested in using him as a tool to jumpstart his new business and nothing else. In the end, the respective pairings form unbreakable bonds with each other. In particular, Jerry's revelation that he is in love with Dorothy, not just idea of stability and family, is memorable.
The brilliance of JERRY MAGUIRE is that it dares to talk and discuss things that people take for granted all the time (dating, relationships, family, raising children, friendship). It treats all of this as the most serious of things. Characters actually question Jerry's motives and refuse to let him off the hook (and vice versa!). Dorothy and Rod see in Jerry things that no one else ever saw to, or cared to, see in him. In doing so, the payoff in the end makes you realize why it focused on all of this. Directed by the great Cameron Crowe (who also did SAY ANYTHING and ALMOST FAMOUS), JERRY MAGUIRE is one in a million!