Jerry Maguire (played by Tom
Cruise) is the story of a man who, one day, woke up and knew he did not
like who he was, or rather, 'his place in the world'. This 1996 film was
nominated for 'Best Film' and 'Best Actor' (for Tom Cruise) at the Academy
Awards. Cuba Gooding Jnr won the 'Best Supporting Actor' Oscar and Cruise
won the 'Best Actor' Golden Globe for his performance. Thus, it is likely
that you have heard much about this film. It is of very high quality and
involves a series of complexities which are part of Maguire's life, particularly
his life *after* he is 'let go' by the large sporting agency company he
works for. The component of the story which is relevant here though is
that of the relationship between Jerry and the lonely single mother, Dorothy,
who initially loves him from afar.
Early on in the movie we see Dorothy straining to hear Jerry's conversation whilst they're on a plane trip on which he is flying first class and she is back in economy. She listens as he tells of his vaguely romantic proposal to his 'then' fiancé and we watch as loneliness becomes painfully evident on her face. Dorothy encounters Jerry (who actually remembers that she is the accountant at his place of work) at the airport just as her son, Ray, goes missing. Jerry helps the distraught mother find her playful little boy who is riding on the luggage conveyer belt. As Jerry bids them both farewell Dorothy stares longingly after this handsome star of the hour.
From the airport scene is when
Jerry's life begins to fall down. Cutting a long story short, he is fired,
betrayed and left as a 'loser'. He ends up with one client and a faithful
follower from work - Dorothy. She gave up her stable job to go and work
for a man she admired and loved. Together they work on taking Rod Tidwall
to the top, but in the process of business Jerry becomes conveniently attracted
to Dorothy. She, being already wrapped up in emotion for him due to the
fact that he seems to be the perfect man for she *and* her son to love,
lets him in.
So Jerry goes off on his own
and helps battle through the life and times of his client, Rod. Time only
proves to force Jerry to grow up for, under the influence of Rod, he learns
to love and really want his wife. After a victory play for Rod, one would
expect the man who has succeeded once again to be totally happy. However,
Jerry looks sadly at Rod who is sobbing ecstatically on the phone to his
wife, and then discovers true meaning. Jerry begins to run until he finds
his way back home. In an emotional scene set before a group of man-hating
women, Jerry pours out his heart and his newly discovered true feelings
for Dorothy, telling her that he can't be happy unless he can share it
all with her. And what does Dorothy say to this??
Everyone I know left this movie smiling, and why shouldn't they have? This movie portrayed realistic elements of life and proved that lonely hearts can find the love of their life. Although hard times come by, you eventually realise those who you love, and the love of the family is one of the most beautiful things you can gain.
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