Jerry Maguire – Film Critique
Teri Reed
ENG225: Introduction to Film

Instructor Daniel Burrello
February 9, 2015

Jerry Maguire – Film Critique
It takes several people to make a movie, from the Actors to the Directors, Writers and Producers, and to the Production Company, all of which are equally important to making a movie successful. There is a mixture of technical skills, while building strong relationships with trust, and following the personal vision of the director who serves as a master facilitator in editing and on the set. All of these people help the director to form the story in the film. A countless amount of time is put into a film’s analysis which observes the filmmaking techniques, in turn helps the audience to understand the style of the film. A film's style is a dependable on the cinematic methods that include the mise en scène, cinematography, editing, sound, and overall structure (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). Filmmaker’s styles have advanced so much over many years in Hollywood, and they have incorporated many elements of all sorts of technical effects while developing distinctive approaches to making a movie.
Director Cameron Crowe offers an inspiring thematic trio in the movie Jerry Maguire, it is filled with drama, comedy, and romance as it relates to a genre film. Cameron Crowe did his homework before he began to develop the character Jerry Maguire. He talked to a businessmen and interviewed him for about a year in order to develop the script for the movie. His role as the director is very important in the making of a movie, he is the storyteller who needs people, equipment for the set, and an imagination with a lot of planning to bring his story to the audience. He is also considered the artist as he is the one who holds the vision for the movie, deals with different personalities from the actors, uncooperative weather, budgets and the demands of studio time. When a director works together with their leader in photography, it is a crucial element in how a movie will turn out, they need to establish a good working relationship with the cinematographer so they can make sure the films experience is successful (Nicolson, 2010). While having all of the sophisticated editing equipment can possibly save a film, if these people cannot work together in the first place, the film in theory has the potential to be a flop.
The character of Jerry Maguire was developed by Crowe (1996) who states:
The story that emerged was of a man trapped in a cynical world who, at age 35, after writing an idealistic manifesto for his company, loses his power and is forced to search for real success. Throughout the story, Jerry hears the voice of the original sports agent, his mentor, a fictional character named Dicky Fox. From the earliest moment, I knew whom I wanted to play Dicky Fox. It had to be Billy Wilder (para 6).

Jerry Maguire was released in 1996, and this blockbuster hit was filled with love, loyalty, and romanticism, and with each of these three principles it represents the theme in this movie. This films genre is based on sports drama, comedy, and romance, and the method and style used in this film allows the audience to connect and relate to the storyline, it has imagination and sound, and with this form of editing it has a greater influence over the viewer (Crogan, 2013). The sport genre setting is based on a football player Rod Tidwell and Jerry Maguire’s career as a sports agent. Typically in sports films they have a minor plot that builds up to a significant event, they are also known for building up anticipation or intensity of that scene. The romance in this movie is light-hearted and dramatic that is centered on love and the perfect couple. Romantic comedy films are typically a sub-genre, which in this case is secondary to sports. The cinematography is included in each frame of this movie, and it captures the characters feelings as it portrays the understanding of the plot. When evaluating the cinematography in this film it gives style that fits the storyline and theme of a movie (Nicholson, 2010). Oscar-nominated Tom Cruise puts on a great performance in this movie as the main character Jerry Maguire. He is a sports agent at Sports Management International (SMI), and is unquestionably the master of the world in his eyes. Jerry is a zealous and prosperous sports management agent with clients who respect him. Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance as Rod Tidwell was outstanding, as he provided the original catch phrase "Show me the money”! (Crowe, 1996). He is a wide receiver whose egoism and arrogance has gotten in the way of reaching his potential as a talented NFL player, he is also the only client who continues to trust in Jerry and keeps him as his sports agent. Dorothy Boyd, who is played by Renee Zellweger, is a single mother with a secret crush on Jerry Maguire. When Jerry loses his job at SMI Dorothy in the only one at the company who believes in Jerry’s abilities as a great sports agent as she leaves with him after he is fired to start his own company. The storytelling method in this movie has a power effect on the viewer as people can relate to real life drama that the film portrays in career, love, and friendship. Many people have similar experiences that have impacted their lives, so this allows the audience to be drawn into the movie.
The movie Jerry Maguire is about an enthusiastic sports agent with popular clients who respect him. Jerry is the master of manipulation in his field, he feels as though he is on top of the world with much success in his career, along with having a beautiful fiancée at his side. The film starts off with Jerry having a disturbing encounter with one of his injured athlete’s kid, the boy lays a guilt trip on his conscience which makes him question his determination in society, where he is with his career and his own personal life. Jerry writes down a mission statement after his interaction, this makes him feel like he will bring a new attitude and light to any situation at hand. In the mission statement he writes about the long-term benefits that should be provided to his clients that is geared around health, prosperity and less money for the company. Jerry’s peers at the office applaud his ideas except management, they feel his philosophies will be bad for business and then Jerry is fired. Unfortunately Jerry’s ideas are not welcomed with enthusiasm from his clients either and they are stripped from underneath him as he leaves his job. Dorothy Boyd, who is an accountant at the firm, leaves the company with Jerry to start his own business. Rod Tidwell, NFL player and client, still trusts in Jerry ability to get him a new contract with more money and keeps him around as his sports agent. The plot revolves around the bigger storyline of these three characters building strong friendships, love and compassion.
This film was created in chronological order so the events in the movie can be seen in real time. The aesthetic choices to each scene contribute to the mood and to the effect it has on the audience. It shows each frame and shot in a way that is dramatic with aesthetic balance that impacts each act (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). The movie has music and sound effects that set the tone for what is going to happen next during each scene. The dialogue is memorable with lines such as “Show me the money” (Crowe, 1996). The plot at the beginning of the movie helps explain the relationship between characters and sets up specific scenes throughout the film. When the audience can connect to the sound and music in a movie it intensifies the whole content and allows the viewer to connect to the story. There is a scene when Jerry meets with Cushes father about keeping him as his son’s sports agent, the camera angles while spinning as they sit in place, set the tone for what is going to happen next. As Cushes father states he does not sign contracts and gives Jerry his word that he will stay with him as his client, makes Jerry extremely happy. In the following scene Jerry is driving in his car listening to the radio and while trying to sing along to the songs that are playing, he can’t find one that plays into his mood, he continues to flip through the music until her hears “Free Falling” from Tom Petty. Jerry sings along too this song as it makes him feel like he is a free spirit and that he is able to conquer the world as a successful sports agent. This has a positive impact on the theme of this movie as Jerry is trying to become a successful and independent sports agent and he wants to continue to get more clients. There are several acts throughout the film that have different effects of lighting that can be seen. Low key and high point lighting were used to get the expressive and emotional effects of each funny, dramatic and emotional scene. In the scene where Jerry and Dorothy are discussing the separation of their marriage, the lighting needed to be set just right to capture the emotional elements to grab the attention of the audience and capture the moment. The low key lighting was necessary to show the audience the characters’ reactions with how unhappy Jerry and Dorothy were in their relationship. In order for this scene to be effective and connect with the audience, the shot needed to be taken outside in the dark where the low lights would benefit every camera angle. The scene in the restroom was performed in a low light setting, normally a restroom is well lit, but in this scene where both Jerry and Rod are discussing Rod’s bad attitude and lack of heart on the football field, this lighting is necessary to set the tone for this shot. Low key lighting looks shady compared to high key lighting, it is marked by the use of shadows, with high contrast between the brightest parts of the scene and the blackest parts, which are obscured in shadows. Many times there is a single source of light coming from the back or the other side of the main characters. Low key lighting is frequently used for powerful and theatrical scenes, horror films, and mystery thrillers (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014). There are elements in cinema like editing and cinematography that allow the audience to connect to the movie. The cinematographer may include imagery and sound that provides power to the character and allows the audience to connect to the story (Crogan, 2013). Cinematography captures the characters feelings and portrays the understanding of the plot, while giving the movie style that is suitable for the storyline and theme of a film (Nicholson, 2010). Aesthetic choices to each scene contributes to the mood and effects of each frame and shot, it then balances that impact it will have on the audience (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). Jerry Maguire has a story telling method that affects the audience as it relates to real life drama with one’s career, love life, family styles and friendships.
Jerry Maguire has romance, drama, humor and sports all wrapped up into one amazing film, one of the things that stands out most in this movie is the eminence that it portrays for women's character. The story that is depicted for single woman is that of hope and desire, and most woman would love to have the Jerry Maguire effect in their life. However, dating for single mothers can be very difficult because of the complications it may hold with previous relationships, and with determining who is the right guy and should meet your child? Then there is the deciphering between who will like your child, loving you and getting to know the other person without that fear that you have just met your next stalker. The film got great reviews and was a box office hit, and it was also nominated for best picture, this is mainly due to the fact that it had a great story that connected to the audience because it portrayed real life drama and romance.
As you can see there needs to be a Director, Writer, Producer, Production Company and Actors, in order to make a movie prosperous. The mixture of people along with the technical skills are needed to tell the director’s story in a film. There is much needed energy and time that is put into a film’s analysis to help the audience understand the style of a movie. The film's style is contingent on the types of methods that are included in the mise en scène, cinematography, editing, sound, and overall structure (Goodykoontz & Jacobs 2014). Finally, filmmaker’s styles have progressed over the years in Hollywood, and there are many elements to a movie that are necessary in developing a successful movie.
Prior to taking this class I watched movies and thought a movie was either good or bad, I did not realized how much effort goes into the review and making of a film. Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2014) states, filmmakers tell their stories by sending several messages through the characters attitudes, the storyline and plot, and the situations in which the characters are dealing with. It takes critical thinking from the audience and for a person to pay attention to the entire film in order for it to make sense. In society people’s perception of reality can be skewed by many different things, analysis of films can allow a person to depict the information and images from media to help them become a powerful storyteller and writer. Media can attempt to send specific messages, but people may perceive and interpret that message differently. I have learned that based on my own knowledge, experience, my values, and beliefs, this has allowed me to interpret a movie based on my definitions. This means that I can create a different connotation from a specific movie and have an unlike meaning and interpretation of the film than someone else. I will be able to use the tools and resources that I learned in this class and apply that to a theory in my own daily life with how people convey and interpret messages as well. This course has allowed me to look at a movie from every angle from the director’s point of view, to how the actors are chosen to depict the story, and how certain lighting and music is necessary to connect to the audience. This class has also allowed me to understand and better analyze a situation and to look at every viewpoint of a circumstance to determine what type of message is being relayed and heard.

References
Cameron Crowe (Director), & James L. Brooks (Producer). (1996). Jerry Maguire
[DVD]. United States: TriStar Pictures and Gracie Films
Crogan, P. (2013). EDITING (AND) INDIVIDUATION. New Formations, (77), 97-110. doi:10.3898/NEWF.77.06.2012
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Nicholson, W. F. (2010). Cinematography and character depiction. Global Media Journal: African Edition, 4(2), 1-16