Common Sense Media Review
Feel-good Cruise film has racy moments, smoking, language.
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Jerry Maguire
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 after he visits a football player who's just suffered his fourth concussion and whose family is sick with worry, he becomes disillusioned. Jerry composes an idealistic memo in which he urges colleagues to have a heart—to start caring more about people and less about profits. His boss promptly fires him for going soft. With only football player Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.) sticking with him and accountant Dorothy Boyd (Renée Zellweger) leaving the agency to come work with him, Jerry must start all over again as an independent agent.
Is It Any Good?
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. Gooding Jr. isn't just hilarious as Jerry's sole client, but he gives his character depth and compassion. The friendship that develops between him and Jerry is humorous and believable. Meanwhile, 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 Jr. and Cruise is particularly memorable. And phrases like "you complete me" and "you had me at hello" are still part of American vernacular. Though it occasionally gets sidelined by schmaltz, Jerry Maguire ultimately hits the right balance between satisfying romcom 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 one another, or are they driven more by dollar signs?
How does Jerry show integrity by living out his written mission statement? What mistakes does he make during his period of transformation? How does he improve as a person by the end of the film?
The film has kids saying "f--k" a couple of times in the film. Did you find it funny? Why, or why not? How does mature language affect your experience of a movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 13, 1996
- On DVD or streaming : June 25, 1997
- Cast : Cuba Gooding Jr. , Renee Zellweger , Tom Cruise
- Director : Cameron Crowe
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Family Stories ( Single Parents ) , Sports ( Football )
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- Run time : 139 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sexuality
- Awards : Academy Award - Best Picture Nominee , Academy Award - Other Category Winner , Academy Award - Other Category Nominee , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Nominee , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : March 24, 2026
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