This is an interesting one. Given how the movies we’ve seen show athletes from kids, players and Olympic athletes, I think I’ve reached full circle in terms of who the main character does. I would never think a movie about a sports agent would be an engaging one. For any professional athlete, they need an agent to help them get a wage and a job. Some casual sports fans aren’t aware of the inner machinations of it, but then again maybe even the die-hards. Jerry Maguire peels back the unknown layer of sports and shows it.
1. Jerry
This is the first movie that I’ve seen from director Cameron Crowe. He originally started as a screenwriter before directing. His made some hits that I’ve been trying to make time to watch like: Singles, Almost Famous and Vanilla Sky. Ultimately, I’ll get to them to see what they’re about. Anyways, let’s talk about the movie.
One last thing, the movie is loosely based on an actual sports agent named Leigh Steinberg whose client Tim McDonald was experiencing free agency at the time. So, we follow Jerry who’s an experienced agent with loads of clients from a variety of leagues. His main job is to make sure that the players are paid and have endorsement deals. While visiting an injured client, his son tells Jerry which makes him have an epiphany.
Jerry writes a manifesto that ultimately gets him fired but inspires a co-worker to join him. Meanwhile, Maguire’s client Rod Tidwell is trying to get his agent to negotiate a better contract. In one way, the film is a sports movie and a rom com. It’s a sports movie that shows the side of the game where there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes negotiations. While obviously a movie, it shows just how agents lack the empathetic approach to athletes.
Maguire is the one where he develops into one when he tries to help his only client. The best moment is when both he and Rod are trying to figure out how to get the contract he deserves. It’s hilarious and very tense since there are moments when it can be like walking to a powder keg. Especially when Tidwell’s wife gets involved and we see the situation where Rod is coming from.
It’s a feat in of itself to have a movie be both two different genres’ while also not feel too conflicting. What I mean is that totally it’s set, there’s no whiplash of Jerry doing one thing and another that isn’t jarring. So, with the co-worker that joins Maguire, develops feelings towards him. Dorothy is the one co-worker who’s with Jerry when their business is just not working. The one scene that exemplifies this is when Maguire visits an upcoming Rookie. Not knowing that the rookie signed with a rival after having an relatable bond with the father.
To me, the movie is about the balance between having empathetic relationships and having transactional relationships. The movie does it well to show that Jerry is struggling with that. He’s so used to having relationships with players where it’s just business. Even his first relationship wasn’t anything of note. The breakup scene at the NFL draft is hilarious. The first scene when Jerry and Rod talk over the phone is the example of the movie.
As much as we see Jerry’s problems and how he navigates through it. We do see moments with Dorothy when she’s at an all-women’s meeting at her sister’s house. I think when we see the multiple problems they have with men in general, Dorothy tries to be different and has the benefit of the doubt of sticking with and eventually marrying Jerry. Her son is something else, the one moment when he talks to Maguire is heartfelt and apparently ad-libbed on the spot.
2. “Show Me the Money”
No surprise that the movie is chock-full of catchy phrases. I think when people here the phrases in any media or elsewhere, they have no idea that the phrases appeared in this movie first. My first experience when the line “You complete me” was uttered in The Dark Knight. It just shows how Cameron Crowe basically added a series of words for situations to come up.
The best one is in the beginning just after Jerry presents his mission statement to his company. When talking to Rod, it’s an example of a situation gradually building up. And it represents the movie. Basically, Jerry is stuck in a conversation with Tidwell and the agent notices his phone is slowly losing the players who’ve been on hold. The conversation is about Tidwell’s contract and how Jerry will help him. Culminating on the famous catchphrase. It’s the film’s best scene and represents the problem Jerry has going for him.
3. Overall
Jerry Maguire is one of those feel-good movies where you want to root for him. And see just how much goes to getting a player paid.
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