"JERRY MAGUIRE," a romantic comedy in which sports
agent TOM CRUISE looks to overcome greed to rediscover his
soul, opens nationally today. Here's a sampling of reviews:
TOUCHDOWN: In Boston, Jay Carr: "The film scores big
because it doesn't just pay lip service to the idea of
examining lifestyles and values, but persuades us to take
them seriously" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/13). In Chicago, Roger
Ebert calls the movie "often a delight." Ebert: "The movie
is about transformation. About two men who learn how to
value something more than money" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 12/13).
In Dallas, Chris Vognar: "A witty, character-rich look at
greed, cynicism and redemption" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS,
12/13). "EW's" Owen Gleiberman gives the film an "A-"
(ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, 12/13 issue). In Jacksonville,
Matthew Seorgel writes "adults should treasure this smart,
surprising comedy-drama" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 12/13). In
L.A., Kenneth Turan calls the film a "surprising
revelation," and notes Director Cameron Crowe used the
sports world to show "what the worship of money and success
is doing to cultural values" (L.A. TIMES, 12/13). In Miami,
Rene Rodriguez gives the film three out of four stars, but
calls the sports side "less engaging" (MIAMI HERALD, 12/13).
In Minneapolis, Jeff Strickler: "The film is not just for
sports fans. ... Men can watch for the game footage and
women can watch for the sentimental scenes" (Minneapolis
STAR TRIBUNE, 12/13). In New York, Janet Maslin: "'Jerry
Maguire' moves unpredictably through its talk of comeuppance
and redemption, but it never loses its bearings" (N.Y.
TIMES, 12/13). NEWSWEEK's David Ansen notes the film
"captures the venal, high-stakes world of pro sports with
deadly wit" (NEWSWEEK, 12/9 issu). NEW YORK magazine's
David Denby: "'Jerry Maguire' doesn't so much leave sports-
world macho behind as place it in the context of a larger
life" (NEW Y0RK, 12/16 issue). In Sacramento, Joe Baltake
notes "although its plot is about a swarmy young sports
agent who both redeems and destroys himself by becoming
honest, you can read between the lines and apply it to just
about any of our societal ills" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/13).
TIME's Richard Schickel calls it "altogether wondrous,"
adding the filmakers "make no attempt to either glamorize or
deglamorize athletes and their hangers-on" (TIME, 12/16
issue). In Tampa, Bob Ross calls the film "a complex,
captivating, mix of satire, sex appeal and sports analogies"
(TAMPA TRIBUNE, 12/13). In Toronto, Liz Braun calls the
movie "charming ... and a pleasure to watch" (TORONTO SUN,
12/13). USA TODAY's Mike Clark writes Cruise is "tailored
fit playing a high-octane sports agent" (USA TODAY, 12/13).
In Washington, Rita Kempley calls it "a touchdown pass"
(WASHINGTON POST, 12/13). VARIETY calls the film a "tart
look at the greed and selfishness rampant in professional
sports" (VARIETY, 12/9 issue).
