One of the greatest romantic comedies of all time has arrived on a brand new Blu-Ray package, all to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Cameron Crowe’s Jerry Maguire is a perfect film, and that fact comes through time and time again after revisiting the classic with this new Blu-Ray set that features almost 60 minutes of never-before-seen bonus materials and deleted and extended scenes. For fans of the two-decade old film, this is a must-own.
Sure, there are the quotes. Who could forget lines from Jerry Maguire like “Show me the money,” “You had me at hello,” or “You complete me.” Those are just a few of the moments from the Crowe-penned script that are pure gold. There is a reason that the film was an immediate hit with audiences and has only deepened its resonance in the two decades since as new generations have discovered its timeless magic. It is one of Crowe’s best scripts he ever wrote, and that is saying something from the man who gave us Almost Famous, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Singles. It also has a pitch-perfect cast working at the prime of their lives, delivering performances for the ages.
Tom Cruise plays the high powered sports agent who wakes up one day and has an epiphany. He writes what is essentially a document that he feels all in his employ should embody. It is heady, but right on. The only problem is it goes against everything the sports agent business stands for. It will cost him his job and as he leaves the business he help build, he utters another famous line from the movie, “who’s with me?” Joining him is Renee Zellweger, a single mother who believes in Maguire’s new mission statement and walks out the door with him. Soon, she realizes he doesn’t have a plan and in fact, the mother of a young boy has just hitched her carriage to a horse that has no direction, even if he does possess the passion needed to succeed.
Cruise’s character quickly tries to shore up his talent and one-by-one they leave him for his former business. But one, played by Cuba Gooding, Jr., sees something in Jerry and decides to stay. With this one client, the trio of Cruise, Zellweger and Gooding hope to forge a future for them all.
The film, as millions upon millions have discovered, has humor, romance, uplifting messages throughout and most importantly, heart. It has aged well, and in fact is as timely as ever. In today’s world, someone with Maguire’s convictions is something we could really use, so the timing of the Blu-Ray anniversary release could not be better.
If one does not own Jerry Maguire, this edition is a must-add to your home video library. The film itself warrants that fact, but the bonus features on this Blu-Ray are informative, entertaining and yes, as uplifting as the movie itself.
We have to start by saluting the three-part retrospective Jerry Maguire: We Meet Again. It features a brand-new interview with Cruise and Crowe that adds insight into the history of the making of the film. There’s insight that these two bring that has come from two decades of letting their work soak into the passage of time. It is a priceless to see these two Hollywood legends wax poetic about one of their greatest works.
The 60 minutes of deleted scenes and extended scenes are brand new and a delight to see, especially after all these years and to get a closer look as to the decisions Crowe made in terms of what to include and what to cut in his classic.
We also appreciated the archival special features, especially the Picture-in-Picture Visual Commentary featuring Cruise, Zellweger, Gooding Jr. and Crowe that adds insight into the making of a classic from all those who were there on the front lines.
You don’t want to miss the rehearsal footage with commentary, as well as the music video for Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen. That theme song is just another piece of this puzzle that shows that this is one perfect film… right on down to its musical score.
Film Grade: A
Bonus Features: A