Jerry Maguire Essay

Jerry Maguire In his movie Jerry Maguire, director Cameron Crowe illustrates how failures and successes are all part of life and if you have love and are happy with your life then you will shirley succeed. It is part of life to experience failure which propels one forward to take risks and make changes to find the answers on how to succeed in lives little games. Jerry Maguire is an inspiring movie based on this theme, demonstrating success and failure with business endeavors, love relationships, friendships and self realization. Relationships between characters in this movie were numerous and were very intense. The relationship between Jerry and Rod Tidwell was initially one of strong control exhibited by Tidwell when he asks Jerry to yell “show me the money!” and when he refuses to complete the camel car commercial. This in turn adds to Tidwells failure with company endorsements and extra cash. Jerry also tries to exhibit control over Tidwell because he expects him to act in a certain way which he doesn’t always do. Jerry proves this when he tells Tidwell the truth about his arrogant actions towards society and the team. Jerry knows it is in Tidwells best interest to tone down his arrogance in order to succeed which he does. In the end both men come to realize their faults and change their behavior which results in the success of Tidwells career. The other relationship that drives the story is that between Jerry and his secretary, Dorothy Boyd. She worked as an accountant for Jerry’s agency, and was so inspired by his “mission statement”, she was the only one to join him out on his own. Jerry has significant trouble in being alone, Dorothy is compassionate to him. Both were definitely taking a big risk but following their hearts. Control is also shown when Dorothy is receiving advice from her sister about the type of guy Jerry is. Dorothy of course doesn’t follow the advice and exerts her own controls over the matter consequently falling in love with Jerry. Laurel failed in her marriage and Dorothy succeeded. The main idea of the movie is that people find happiness in all aspects of life to follow their hearts finding a common ground between heart and head. This required risk taking on the part of Dorothy and Jerry when they ventured out to start their own company and when Dorothy followed her heart to marry Jerry. Rod Tidwell had to learn to add more feeling and compassion or heart to his career which in turn pushed him further along in his success as a football player and increased his salary. Jerry Maguire on the other hand gave up his successful job to follow his heart not letting money interfere with his personal business relationships. A variety of very meaningful symbols were used to emphasize the movies most inner meaning. Dorothy’s black sweater was seen on the first date and on the night when she broke it off with Jerry. The sweater symbolizes her love for him but she knew she couldn’t live without his love in return. The action and use of the word punch was seen when Jerry was actually punched in his face by his fiancee on the night of their breakup. Prior to this scene he had just lost Cush Avery, his biggest client, it was like a punch in the stomach. And then there is the statement by Jerry’s mentor “roll with the punches, tomorrow is another day.” Maguires use of the word’s “love you” was a general statement that he used often but not in the context of love. This was emphasized the night of his engagement party when all of his previous girlfriends and co-workers said over and over again “ love you Jerry”. As the plot develops and the story reaches it’s climax the use of the words “love you” either by Jerry or other people were more sincere and meaningful. The use of the word love changes from a statement made coming from the head at the beginning of the movie to a

statement made coming from the heart towards the end of the movie. This is seen in the beginning of the movie when Tidwell hangs up the phone after keeping Jerry on as his agent, speaking from his head not from his heart. Towards the end of the movie Tidwell uses the statement after his successful football game in a sincere manor which you can tell. In conclusion the movie Jerry Maguire illustrates how failures and successes are a part of life and if you have love and are happy with your life you will surely succeed. Jerry Maguire succeeded in business and love by “following his heart” and “rolling with the punches” along the way. For anyone who has forgotten the feeling that a wonderful movie can trigger, Jerry Maguire, is a welcomed reminder.