8 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 10, 1997 -- - _ i 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. Nobody prepares you like K AIPLAN Kaplan has the most complete arsenal of test prep tools available. From videos to virtual reality practice tests, to software and on line services, nobody offers you more ways to practice. Kaplan's dynamic teachers will show you the proven skills and test-taking methods that help you get a higher score. Voted "The Best of Ann Arbor in Test Prep" 1996 Michigan Daily Readership poll LSAT GMAT GRE MCAT 12/7/96 1/18/97 12/14/96 4/19/97 2/8/97 3/15/97 4/12/97 8/16/97 6/16/97 6/21/97 oAT 4/5/97 10/4/97 Call KAPLAN for information about taking a FREE practice test! Space is limited. so call to reserve your seat today 1 -800-KAP-TEST *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 - .1 I I Work faster with it Simplify your life with it. v Power Macintosh'5260 100 MHz/16MB RAM/800MB/CD-ROM 14" built-in dsplay/keyboard Now $1,341 Communicate to the world with it. Have fun with it. Power Macintosh' 5400 120 MIH/I16MB RIM/i.6GB/8X CD-ROM 15" built-in dkuply/keyboard Now $1,754 Get $150 back with it. Check out Apple's Holiday Savings. Right now Apple Computer is it, offering a $150 rebate when you purchase a Macintosh personal computer and an Appleprinter. Fact is, your timing Power Macintosh' 7200 120 MHz/16MB RAM/I.2GB/8X CD-ROM 15"diplay/keyboard Now $2,006 I vrt xy