8 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 10, 1997
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Cruise's performance drives home
Jerry Maguire'
By Kristin Long
Daily Arts Writer
The latest Tom Cruise flick, "Jerry Maguire," attempts to
swoon the romantics while simultaneously captivating the
interest of the realists. Based on nothing more than human
relations, "Maguire"-- with its simple style -makes for an
enjoyable film, but one of mediocre quality.
Cruise is Jerry Maguire: rich, en
vogue, selfless and at the top of his pro- RI
fession.tAs the key sports agent for
future superstars, Maguire could care Jerr
less about whom he has to crush to
bring in the commission.
When a star hockey player receives At Br
his fourth concussion, the victim's son
gives Cruise a couple obscene gestures and sends the shallow
creep's life into a whirlwind. The brush with humanism
prompts Maguire to defend a caring policy of "Fewer Clients.
Less Money."
Sound like a previous Cruise-classic ("Top Gun") where
the coldhearted star becomes a real softy and changes his
ways ? Well, it's close. The difference here is that the costars
hardly leave Cruise in the spotlight alone.
Cuba Gooding Jr. surfaces as Rod Tidwell, a secret weapon
who no football team wants because of his arrogant attitude.
Gooding is superb as the biggest nuisance of the film, with
his cocky persona that nearly everyone detests. His relation-
ship with Maguire is a strong facet of the story, and the emo-
tions are intense.
I
r
r
One of Jerry's biggest dilemmas involves a woman. After
all, what Cruise film would be complete without a love inter-
est for the hero? The dynamics between the stud and his assis-
tant Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger), a single working
mother, add interesting twists to the plot. Throughout the
entire film, we are left to guess Jerry's level of interest, and
this creates one of the film's greatest successes.
Still, this love affair also develops into
E V I E W one of the nearly nonexistent plot's most
immense failures. The chemistry between
y Maguire Cruise and Zellweger often leaves much to
be desired and, in many moments, we
hardly care whether they live happily ever
iarwood and Showcase after. Their interaction is frequently dry
and stagnant. Both characters never form
a solid, enjoyable relationship with a great deal of momentum.
Zellweger is nonetheless a surprise success, and she shows
definite promise for future roles.
Dorothy's son, Ray (Jonathan Lipnicki), creates much
humor in their relationship, as the innocent child who gives
Jerry a run for his money. Lipnicki's performance also reveals
similar potential to Zellweger.
Lipnicki's performance emphasizes - perhaps overem-
phasizes - the influence of a cute kid, but after a while, the
play on the child's mannerisms becomes old and overdone.
His role detracts from the story and wanders into some plot in
another dimension.
The combination of personalities makes the film a mixture
of the deceitful versus the naive. Cruise delivers a fine per-
formance throughout,
working with the emo-
tions of fellow charac-
ters. It is easy to admire
Jerry's ambition, despise
his greed and also enjoy
his romantic aspirations.
The changes in his
appearance show
Cruise's flexibility and
talent.
The plot of "Jerry
Maguire," unlike Cruise,
is not as sturdy. Many
concepts are abandoned
by the heart of the film,
and the ideas never meet
again at the end.
Fortunately, these
themes are overshadowed
by the Jerry-Rod and
Jerry-Dorothy relation-
ships that leave the audi-
ence in good spirits.
"Jerry Maguire" Tom Cruise and Renee Zellwe
thrives off the ideas that
most people admire: wealth, success and love. It succeeds o
character development, but it falters on a weak plot. Th
effect of "Maguire" is of mere simplicity: It has us leaving th
ger can't keep their eyes off each other in "Jerry Maguire."
on theater with a smile on our faces.
he For a film with little depth and a lot of light humor v'
he could ask for anything more?
The University of Michigan
School of Music
Sunday, January 12
Faculty Recital by Louis Nagel, piano
An All- Schubert Program: Four Impromptus; "Wanderer
Fantasia" in C Major; Sixteen German Dances; Sonata in
D Major
Rackham Auditorium, 4 p.m.
Friday, January 17
Collage Concert
University Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir with
members of University Choir, and soloists
Hill Auditorium, 8:15 p.m.
Nota Bene- Admission requires a free general admission ticket.
Tickets are available at the Hill Auditorium Box Office from
4-6 p.m.(limit four per family). The doors will open at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 19
Lecture-Recital by Ellwood Derr, Professor of Music Theory
"Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de St. George: Black Composer,
Violinist and Athlete in Late Eighteenth-Century Paris."
Slide presentation followed by performance of St. George's
Sonata in E-flat for flute and harp by Lydia Cheever, harp, and
Robin Rhodes, flute.
McIntosh Theatre, 4 p.m.
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*mi . , .. _~ a.c,, :.,, oa i.w . .. . _
Read it.
Recycle it.
All events are free and wheelchair accessible unless
specified otherwise. For weekly events listings, call
the Music Hotline, 763-4726. The School of Music
is located at 1100 Baits Drive, North Campus.
-- - - - - - - - - - - - - ,m
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