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Parents' Guide to

Jerry Maguire

By Teresa Talerico, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Feel-good Cruise flick; racier than you remember.

Movie R 1996 139 minutes
Jerry Maguire Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 16+

Based on 3 parent reviews

ImmigrantMama
ImmigrantMama Adult
November 10, 2019
age 14+

Two short scenes that you can forward should not prevent your teenager from watching this classic

Jerry Maguire is a fun film that hasn’t aged as badly as it could have. There is a *very* explicit sex scene (around 17mins in - right after the airport scene), which, quite honestly, you can easily forward and not miss a beat. All of this is about 2 mins long. There’s another pretty sexy scene about 80min in (when they kiss for the first time). It’s not explicit in any way but I can see people being uncomfortable with it). Again, just forward it. Two short sex scenes should not prevent you from watching this otherwise terrific film with your kids. I’m always amazed at how parents are okay with violence but freak out with a bit of nudity and sex. The latter are a lot more natural and normal than extreme violence.
6 people found this helpful.
BestPicture1996
BestPicture1996 Adult
April 20, 2014
age 16+

Sweet and syrupy, but brings a high voltage of energy!

There are no weak links in here, in this classic 90s romantic comedy. But to label it in the romcom bin is dismissing it a bit, isn't it? A movie about a sports agent and a highstrung football player is quoted just as much today as it was back in 96! This movie's a romantic staple, and features great work from Tom Cruise, but especially Cuba Gooding Jr., injecting an infectious energy into his Rod Tidwell; his zealous "SHOW ME THE MONEY" rant with Cruise surely won him the Oscar! If you haven't seen it, get on it!

This title has:

Too much sex
Too much swearing
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

JERRY MAGUIRE (Tom Cruise), a sports agent, lives for the deal -- that is, getting money and fame for the professional athletes he represents. But one day he has an awakening. It comes after he visits a football player who's just suffered his fourth concussion and whose family is sick with worry. Disillusioned with his cutthroat industry, Jerry composes an idealistic memo -- or "mission statement," as he repeatedly calls it -- in which he urges colleagues to have a heart, to start caring more about people and less about profits. He distributes it at an industry convention, and his boss promptly fires him for going soft. With only one client who sticks with him, Jerry must start all over again as an independent agent. In the process, he learns about himself, discovers the importance of loyalty, and ultimately comes to value the people in his life much more.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (8 ):

This is a feel-good movie, the kind that has viewers rooting for an everyman who struggles to do the right thing in a world where it's much easier to do the opposite. Jerry Maguire is both touching and funny. Cuba Gooding Jr. is not only hilarious as Jerry's sole client, but he gives his football-player character depth and compassion. The friendship that develops between him and Jerry is humorous and believable. Meanwhile, Renée Zellweger holds her own in her first major role as Dorothy, Jerry's loyal co-worker, his love interest, and the mother of an adorable son (played by Jonathan Lipnicki). Bonnie Hunt is solid as Dorothy's wary but well-meaning sister.

Director Cameron Crowe and his cast create several scenes that have become well known and spoofed often. The amped-up "show me the money" exchange between Gooding and Cruise is particularly memorable. And phrases like "you complete me" and "you had me at hello" are practically part of American vernacular. Although it occasionally gets sidelined by schmaltz, Jerry Maguire ultimately hits the right balance between satisfying chick flick and thumbs-up sports cinema.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Jerry Maguire portrays the world of professional sports: How are the players and people behind the scenes represented? Are they interested in the sport itself and each other, or are they driven more by dollar signs?

  • What does Jerry Maguire do to make a positive difference?

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