Review of Jerry Maguire (1996) by Matt J — 20 Apr 2010

(from The Watermark, 12/26/96).

Cruise is a soul-less sports agent who loses his job, his clients, and his fiancee all at once. And it's all because he tried to be a good guy by distributing a memo blasting his agency's obsession with money and commercialization. One client of his sticks by him, though - football player Gooding, as well as a secretary - single mother Zellweger, who put all their faith in Cruise that he can get back on his feet, even when he himself isn't so sure. The chemistry between Cruise and Zellweger is substantial when the two finally get together, but the relationship isn't as thoroughly explored as is the business friendship that is cultivated by Cruise and Gooding. The supporting cast are excellent and help validate the love story, especially Hunt as Zellweger's sarcastic and protective sister, and Lipnicki in an absolutely delightful performance as Zellweger's son. The screenplay gives all of the characters some great lines, but the film is really all Cruise's, and he does some of his best work as a man suddenly having to re-build his whole life from the ground up. QUEER QUOTIENT: Tom, Tom, Tom... how can you not swoon? The film gives us a few shirtless shots, and even a quickie butt shot just to tease us. He is dreamier than ever in his ruggedly romantic role. I don't know who this Zellweger chick is, but I hate her.