Jerry Maguire

Directed by Cameron Crowe, Jerry Maguire follows Tom Cruise’s hotshot title character, a slick sports agent, as he writes a controversial mission statement and is summarily fired by his powerful firm – with the movie subsequently detailing Jerry’s efforts at helping his one client (Cuba Gooding Jr’s Rod Tidwell) achieve his dreams. There’s little doubt, ultimately, that Jerry Maguire benefits tremendously from Cruise’s magnetic and predictably charismatic turn as the arrogant yet sympathetic central character, as the actor’s consistently compelling work goes a long way towards smoothing over the periodic lulls within the bloated narrative and sustaining the viewer’s interest throughout. (It’s clear, too, that Cruise receives more than able support from an appealingly eclectic supporting cast that includes Kelly Preston, Regina King, and Jay Mohr.) It’s equally clear, however, that Jerry Maguire‘s 139 minute running time paves the way for a far-from-streamlined midsection that’s riddled with superfluous, padded-out sequences and digressions, and the picture is, for the most part, unable to establish the sort of persistently engrossing atmosphere that Crowe has clearly intended (ie the film is, when everything’s said and done, only enthralling in fits and starts). Such concerns are ultimately rendered moot in the face of superb performances and a proliferation of memorable, iconic interludes (eg “show me the money!”), while the completely satisfying climax (“you complete me”) ensures that the whole thing concludes on an exceedingly positive note – which does, in the end, cement Jerry Maguire‘s place as an erratic yet rewarding effort from a decidedly hit-and-miss filmmaker.

*** out of ****