At times the film's lightweight, pop-sociology view of the hungry nature of the modern day workplace is clichéd to say the least. However, because Crowe is able to develop meaningful characters, his contradictory lunges against capitalism are submerged by the excellent performances of Cruise and company. There are also top notch supporting roles from Zellwenger's screen son Ray (child star Jonathan Lipnicki) and dictatorial older sister Laurel (Bonnie Hunt).

On the DVD: Jerry Maguire's animated menus are created in the style of a messy desk with Post-It-Note selection icons bu...
CRUISE CONTROL, 2009-01-26
This is not a romantic comedy, so much as a fantastically moving drama about the real meaning of success.

Jerry McGuire is the guy who has it all - the big career as a hot shot sports agent, the admiration of many, the dazzling smile, the trophy fiance. But when he acts from the heart in a moment of inspired madness, all of his glittering prizes fall away. He quickly discovers there is no loyalty in either his professional or personal life, but by the end of the movie he triumphs and finds love and loyalty once more, this time the genuine kind.

My favourite scenes are those immediately after Jerry has been fired without warning by a backstabbing boss at his sports agency. He races back to the office, falling flat on his face in front of gossiping colleagues aware of his demise, then shows his mettle in a series of increasingly desperate phone calls to clients, trying to persuade them to leave the agency and come with him.

When he finally emerges, sweaty and battle scarred into the silent, open plan office, he holds his head high under the scrutiny of the entire workforce. He invites staff to join him in starting a new company, based on good ethics, and he starts by decanting the office goldfish into a plastic bag, announcing 'These goldfish have manners - they're coming with me'.

Jerry's strength and dignity after his humiliating and public sacking, is to my mind the most moving scene in the movie - and there are many! This will strike a chord with anyone who has experienced the rough end of office politics. His fightback is tough and compelling to watch.

The romantic sub plot is moving and believeable, with Renee Zellweger perfect as the sweet single parent who falls head over heels for Jerry. The ups and downs of their relationship flesh out the major themes of the movie.

Writer/Director Cameron Crowe could have happily retired after this movie, knowing his work was done. 'Jerry McGuire' is that rare thing, a modern classic and a movie many others would have loved to have made. Cuba Gooding Jnr as Jerry's prime client is superb and he richly deserved his Academy Award. But it is baffling that Tom Cruise didn't also pick up an Oscar for his astonishing performance. A movie that should be in everyone's collection.

Astonishingly, Jack Nicholson's legendary performance as a military tough guy in A Few Good Men really amounts to a glorified cameo: he's only in a few scenes. But they're killer scenes, and the film has much more to offer. Cruise also shines as a lazy lawyer who rises to the occasion, and Demi Moore gives a command performance. Director Rob Reiner poses important questions about the rights of the powerful and the responsibilities of those just following orders in this classic courtroom drama. --Alan Smithee, Amazon.com
A deserved 5 star film!, 2010-05-28
OK, so this film MAY be based virtually entirely within the grounds of a Naval Base that's true but the tension that is built up during this film goes in different stages. Firstly you have Demi Moore who outranks Tom Cruise but Cruise is like a dog with a bone and just will NOT give-up ON HIS CASE neither will she and they keep digging.The next stage is where they seek evidence but everyone is afraid to go against career Marine Nicholson whose word is written in stone and who has fought through the toughest battles, saving the lives of those now higher in rank than himself.The final stage is where the man himself puts in his "cameo" appearance and is questioned and challenged on the stand by the "rookies" Cruise and Moore, and it is one of the best courtroom dramas on the silver screen, and THIS is what gives it its 5th star in the drama category!