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Jerry Maguire (1996)

By Andrea Pilar Nevil · August 4, 2011

Screenplay Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance / Sport

Movie Time: 139 minutes

1. INCITING INCIDENT

Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise), a sports agent, “hates his place in the world” and decides to write a mission statement declaring that more personal attention to clients and less money would be a fresh start for the company. After writing and sending out copies of this manifesto, he immediately regrets it, but it’s too late and 100 copies have been mailed to the employees of his agency. (00:09:24)

2. LOCK IN (End of Act One)

Though applauded by his coworkers for his passion, his superiors aren’t impressed; Jerry is fired and leaves the agency with only his most dramatic client Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.), the prospect of the number one pick in the NFL draft, a faithful accountant Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger) and the company goldfish. (00:32:27)

3. FIRST CULMINATION (Midpoint)

After struggling to make it as a sports agent all on his own, losing the #1 NFL prospect, Frank Cushman (Jerry O’Connell), and breaking up with his power-hungry fiancée; ironically, Jerry becomes romantically involved with Dorothy, relishing his new role as a father figure to her son Ray (Jonathan Lipnicki). (1:14:36)

4. MAIN CULMINATION (End of Act Two)

At the prospect of Dorothy moving to San Diego with Ray, Jerry marries her to avoid being alone, but after suffering through a lackluster marriage, Dorothy breaks up with Jerry because she sees that he loves her son more than her. (1:52:56)

5. THIRD ACT TWIST

During a Monday Night football game, Rod seems to be critically injured (out cold) when catching a touchdown pass. It looks like all is lost for both Rod and Jerry, but Rod regains consciousness, boisterously celebrating in the end zone and jumping in the stands. (2:01:38)