Jerry Maguire used to be a typical sports agent: willing to do just about anything he could to get the biggest possible contracts for his clients, plus a nice commission for himself. Then, one day, he suddenly has second thoughts about what he's really doing. When he voices these doubts, he ends up losing his job and all of his clients, save Rod Tidwell, an egomaniacal football player.
Disarming acting, colorful writing and true generosity of spirit keep it right on track.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
rotten:
Lauded as a witty moral fable with a revelatory performance from its star, this romantic comedy is in fact meretricious, manipulative and reactionary.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
fresh:
Cruise seems to have grown as much as Jerry, for he brings gentleness, warmth and lightheartedness to this role, qualities that we haven't seen since he played air guitar in his underpants in Risky Business 13 years ago.
– Rita Kempley,
Washington Post,
26 Mar 2007
fresh:
There is a recognizable ordinariness about the way these people stumble in and out of trouble, in and out of grace -- an ambiguous note, at once tart and sweet, knowing and innocent, in their relationships.
– Richard Schickel,
TIME Magazine,
31 Jul 2008
fresh:
Smartly written and boasting a sensational cast, Cameron Crowe's shrewdly observed third feature also gives Tom Cruise one of his very best roles...