10) Jerry Maguire
It is hard to find a story, characters or subject that draws in both men and women in equal measure, but Jerry Maguire is a tremendous example of a film that balances out the “guy” stuff and the “girl” stuff: it is a romantic comedy wrapped around a successful sports agent, a film that balances its cynical outlook with a gooey sentimentality that ensures it can please both genders easily.
Cameron Crowe makes some of the best movies about traditionally male domains – sports, rock and roll – and finding the warm centre that any viewer, male or female, can relate to. He is also big on romantic proclamations (Lloyd Dobler and his jukebox, anyone?) and saves his most audacious mission statement about love in Jerry Maguire until the very end. “You complete me” and “You had me at hello” become cheesier on every listen, but Cruise and Zellweger had such dynamic chemistry throughout the whole film that the scene still works, despite its saccharine feel.
Jerry Maguire is also a film about renewal, as the titular sports agent and his new partner (and date) must start from scratch and figure out how to make things work. Some couples going on a first date may have just gone through a tumultuous relationship and are trying to figure out how to start over again. That process of starting over and finding inspiration in the warm people who stand next to you in a potentially volatile hour is one that any fresh couple can relate to.
