Jerry Maguire is one of the best movies of Tom Cruise’s career and with the exception of Bridget Jones, one of Renee Zellweger’s most famous roles. This awesome movie about romance, football, back door deals, soul-searching, and a dozen other topics is fondly remembered for two lines and probably nothing else. Even if you don’t want to admit it, you know exactly what I’m talking about: “show me the money” and “you had me at hello” are in the American Film Institution’s Top 100 Memorable Movie Quotes of all time.
I love this movie for a dozen reasons, whether it is the romance between Cruise and Zellweger’s characters, Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s role as Rod Tidwell, Jay Mohr there to stir the plot, or even Bonnie’s Hunt sister character who threatens murder if things all go south. Yes, what Jerry Maguire did was absolutely crazy. Losing out on the next greatest player would cause anyone to get stressed, but not at the levels he does. He quits his job and sets out to become the only sports agent with a conscience. Both are career risks no one of sound mind would make, because professional sports is truly about show me the money. Having a repetition and many connections allows for such a move, but it is really hard to tell if this fictional story is even possible in the real world.
People have and will continue to dissect this movie, looking at the flaws of the lead actors, and say that this story lacks the heart it is meant to have. I say even 20 years later that this movie is still great. Sure there are moments I would take out, but those moments show you a different side of Maguire who finally figures out his priorities in life just in the nick of time. Jerry Maguire is in my top five favourite football movies of all-time. 9/10
Ten Stars or Less 