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Film-O-pinions: Jerry Maguire
Really really good solid film. Probably the most wholesome R-rated movie ever made. I imagine them showing this on Thanksgiving ever year as a staple (on TNT or NBC). It just so damn touching, and to its advantage, familiar. The idea of the intense aphla-male Agent running the airports and stadiums of America, creating his own little quirkly moments for press, vying for the financial relevance of his hotshot Wide Reciever (played by Cuba Gooding Jr. In a role that makes me wonder why I ever had hate for the dude, Oh wait
is one that I feel like I played in my head before, like when watching the 12-hour loop on ESPN anytime TO gets traded. This Story (love-cute-triangle with Renee Zelwegger and the cute big-headed kid with glasees) is formulaic like a Scorsesse movie is violent. There is even a strong black woman at the heart (of this film), and an old wise dude with glasses at the brain (in flashback!). And yet these hackneyed qualities make the film that much sweeter because they’re real.
Roger ebert said “a film is not what its about, but how it is about it.” This is like that. It is literally a feel-good movie (got goosebumps bout 8 times, tears throughout the third act), you feel like a better person at the end of the viewing. And that could be because of the sheer relatability. There’s something and someone for everyone; The Seriously successful man who can’t face failure, the cute woman with much love to give, the cute kid, the strong black man who alternates btw winning hearts and being a shit, the Strong black woman behind him, the sleazebag antithesis, the sad sister, the mentor in the sky, the recurring TV-show host, etc. every facet of the American Dream is scripted to a T here. And mad catch-phrases!
Bottom line this is a great American film. Cameron Crowe is like the Shel Silverstein of cinema, whimsical, folksy and expansive. His touch is always present but never evident and his films generally exemplify what is good and nice with people. that is a difficult thing to sell as entertainment, but therein lies his talent. The guys got manners.
See it again
