Jerry Maguire (1996)

Directed by: Cameron Crowe

Starring: Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Renée Zellweger, Kelly Preston, Jerry O’Connell, Jay Mohr, Regina King, and Bonnie Hunt

Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is a sports agent who has an attack of his conscience.  He writes and distributes an article on dishonesty and corruption within the sports management business.  Maguire’s newfound morality costs him his job at Sports Management International (SMI).  He of course has a breakdown in the office and claims that he is starting his own independent sports agency and asks for employees to come with him.  Single mom Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) is the only one who signs on for this big challenge.  He then starts trying to retain his clients, and falls flat on his ass.  The only client he retains is Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), the cocky, overconfident wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals.  Tidwell is disgruntled with his contract and asks Jerry to do everything he can to show him the money.  Tidwell is the first step in Maguire rebuilding what he once had—a nearly insurmountable task.

Jerry Maguire is undoubtedly the ideal date movie.  You get football and love.  There’s something there for both ladies and gents.  Everybody wins.  Tom Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Renée Zellweger deliver strong performances in this flick.  With great direction from Cameron Crowe and a smartly written movie, Jerry Maguire hits every note perfectly.  Grab a refreshment or two, sit back, and enjoy this fun film.