Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise), a slick, high-living sports agent, is tired of the shallowness of his profession and wants to live a more fulfilling, ethical life. But Jerry's new outlook doesn't mesh with his agency's ethics, and he is promptly fired. Jerry finds himself left with one ally, one client, and a long road ahead of him. Along the way he finds something more important than money--love. Cruise, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and Renée Zellweger turn in outstanding performances in this romantic comedy written and directed by Cameron Crowe (SAY ANYTHING, SINGLES).
What happens when a man tries to apply moral standards to his job in an industry of greed? He gets fired. Tom Cruise plays Jerry Maguire, a slick sports agent who realizes that he hates how he is living his life and encourages his fellow employees to get back to the important basics: people, loyalty, and fairness. Unfortunately, Maguire's new moral compass costs him his job, and he is left to start his business anew with one work ally, agency accountant Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger), and his least important client, Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.). Maguire embarks on a journey of personal growth that forces him to reevaluate his life choices and ultimately leads him to both friendship and love. Like his earlier films, SAY ANYTHING and SINGLES, this award-winning Cameron Crowe film features snappy dialogue, comic relief, and the occasional tear-jerking moment. Stellar performances are turned in from Cruise, Zellweger, and Gooding, Jr., as well as supporting cast members Bonnie Hunt, Jay Mohr, Regina King, and Kelly Preston.
Theatrical release date: December 13, 1996.
Estimated budget: $50 million.
The film grossed more than $150 million at the domestic box office and nearly $275 million worldwide.
JERRY MAGUIRE was inspired by Leigh Steinberg, a sports agent who convinced his clients to contribute portions of their salaries to charity.
Rolling Stone publisher Jann Wenner makes a cameo as Scully, the head of SMI.
Musician Glenn Frey plays Dennis Wilburn of the Arizona Cardinals.
Among the 36 athletes and sports figures appearing as themselves in this film are Al Michaels, Frank Gifford, Ki-Jana Carter, Katarina Witt, Drew Bledsoe, and Troy Aikman.
The 27-page Mission Statement that ultimately costs Maguire his job with SMI was a real document written by Crowe, not a prop, and copies of it have actually appeared on ebay.
Songs featured in the film include Bruce Springsteen's "Secret Garden" and "Free Fallin'" by Tom Petty.
Cameron Crowe is married to Nancy Wilson, of the rock group Heart.
Excerpt: "Show me the money!"--Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) to Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise)
"You complete me."--Jerry Maguire to Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger)
"You had me at hello. You had me at hello."--Dorothy Boyd to Jerry Maguire
Blu-ray Disc Features:
Widescreen 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Distributor Notes: Tom Cruise gives his best performance to date (Neil Rosen, NY-1) as a sports agent who suddenly discovers his scruples and promptly loses his job. But with the help of one loyal colleague and one outrageous client, JERRY MAGUIRE learns that loving well is the best revenge. A sweetheart of a romantic comedy (Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE) co-starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., Renee Zellweger, Regina King and Bonnie Hunt.
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Stars
Tom Cruise: American Actor, RISKY BUSINESS, EYES WIDE SHUT
Renée Zellweger: American Actress, NURSE BETTY (2000)
Cuba Gooding: Oscar Winning American Actor, JERRY MAGUIRE
Jonathan Lipnicki: Child actor - Jerry Maguire
Bonnie Hunt: American actor, BEETHOVEN/Life with Bonnie
Kelly Preston: American Actress
Jay Mohr: Actor/Comedian
Jerry O'Connell: Actor
Regina King: Actress/"Poetic Justice"
Director
Cameron Crowe: Screenwriter, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)
Producer
James L. Brooks: Director/Producer/Screenwriter
Cameron Crowe: Screenwriter, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)
Laurence Mark: Producer/Executive
Richard Sakai: PRODUCER/EXECUTIVE
Associate Producer
Bruce S. Pustin: Producer
John D. Schofield: co-producer, JERRY MAGUIRE
Screenwriter
Cameron Crowe: Screenwriter, FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH (1982)
Composer
Nancy Wilson: American Singer/Songwriter of Heart
Editor
Joe Hutshing: Editor, BROKEN ARROW (1996)
Art Director
Virginia Randolph: art director
Costume Designer
Betsy Heimann: Costume Designer, RED DRAGON (2002)
Director of Photography
Janusz Kaminski:
Production Designer
Stephen J. Lineweaver:
Art Director
Clayton Hartley: art director
Review 1:
"...Cruise gives his deftest performance yet....Gooding turns in a ferocious, star-making turn..." -- Rating: A-
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.58 12/20/1996
Review 2:
"An exceptionally tasty contempo comedic romance....Smartly written and boasting a sensational cast, Cameron Crowe's shrewdly observed third feature also gives Tom Cruise one of his very best roles..."
Source: Variety
12/09/1996
Review 3:
"...A heartwarmer....The film is often a delight, especially when Cruise and Zellweger are together on the screen..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.43 12/13/1996
Review 4:
"...It can still clearly melt the hardest of hearts..."
Source: Total Film
p.120 11/01/2000
Review 5:
"A key twist on The Cruise Grin....[He] loses the lot, learns life lessons and wins it back again."
Source: Total Film
p.136 07/01/2006