Plot: What’s it about?
Jerry MaGuire has it all, or so it would seem. In the fast-paced world of sports agents, million dollar deals, advertising, marketing and who knows what else–Jerry is the king. Jerry is the man when it comes to putting that sports idol on a box of Wheaties or making sure that “so and so” has a new model of his shoe out every year. An industry that is still booming…the sports agent. We are introduced in a very strange manner, to the world of a sports agent. It doesn’t take long to assume that it’s very busy, very phony and a high stress job. Some people can’t do it, while others are naturals at it. Jerry is a natural, or so it would seem. Director Cameron Crowe, who is responsible in the most part for such classics as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Singles” takes a look at the world of the sports agent. Next to the athlete’s mother, father and coach, the sports agent is the most important person. And for good reason, as it’s his/her job to make sure that the athlete’s are seen off the court and get them some more money (because they’re not paid quite enough as it is).
After visiting a client, Jerry is verbally assulted by the man’s 10 year old son. Water off a duck’s back, right? Wrong. Jerry lingers on it and finds himself disgusted at what he has truly become. A powerful, money-grubbing, egotistical S.O.B. Of course, he doesn’t like it. So, at 2 AM, he starts writing on his laptop what he calls a “Mission Statement”. His view of what the company he works for, SMI (Sports Marketing International), should set their goals for. Without thinking, he runs to the nearest Kinko’s and makes copies for everyone to read. Ironically, it’s this mission statement of this that promptly gets him fired, but also gains the respect of a very special young lady. In a “must see” Tom Cruise scene, he takes what is left of his life (which consists of a goldfish that he names “Flipper”) and the accountant who was so taken with his document and they’re off to start their own sports agency. Make sense? Why would he leave the most successful agency to start another? First, he was fired, and second the point of his mission statement can be summed up as “less clients–more attention”. Of course to the nature of the sports agent, it’s pure blastomy! So, Jerry is off with his one client, Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr. in his Oscar-Winning performance) and his accountant Dorothy (RenΘe Zellweger) to start his new company…
To top all of this off, Jerry is leaving his girlfriend who fits right into that whole “sports agent” motif. She is so superfical, it’s sickening (she is quite attractive though, played by Kelly Preston). This the where the plot starts to thicken. You see, Jerry is committed to his job, he loves it. When his job role changes in that he only has one client, Rod. He spends every waking moment with Rod, while at the same time trying to balance his personal relationship with Dorothy. Rod is his polar opposite. Physically talented, he needs only the pure determination to become a superstar football player, but is totatlly committed to his wife and family. The better part of “Jerry MaGuire” is finding the happy medium between the two main characters, and that’s what makes it so watchable and likeable.
Video: How does it look?
One of Columbia/Tristar’s first releases, and one of the first DVD’s to have the same street date as the VHS counterpart, the video looks great. Being a Columbia/Tristar title, it’s 16:9 ehhanced at it’s original theatrical ratio of 1.85:1. Colors are bright, and not a sinle trace of artifacting. There are a few scenes where there is some shimmering evident, so it was knocked half a point for that. Still, Jerry MaGuire looks as good as it can (and that’s good).
Audio: How does it sound?
A 5.1 audio track adds a lot of depth to the story, although it’s a dialogue driven movie. There are some scenes where the audio takes control, but not many. Still, the added dimension of a 5.1 track is very well-served here and we’re not limited to a Surround mix, though a surround mix is on the disc if you’re so inclined.
Supplements: What are the extras?
No extras.
