Episode 17: Jerry Maguire (1996)
Why is it so important to be able to celebrate with someone? Is parenting sexy? What are the challenges of being in a relationship when you don’t know who you are? Paul and Eli search for answers in the 1996 film Jerry Maguire, Cameron Crowe’s endlessly quotable rom-com, featuring acclaimed performances from Renée Zellweger, Tom Cruise, and Cuba Gooding Jr.
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Hosted, produced, and edited by Paul Eastwick and Eli Finkel
Intro
1:00: (Eli) Who are the characters and couples?
2:10: (Paul) 1-minute plot recap
3:20: What is our relationship to this movie?
What the movie gets right
5:25 (Eli) Jerry grows toward his ideal self (or selves) in his relationships
Jerry Maguire as avatar for the Michelangelo Phenomenon review by Dr. Rusbult
Sensitivity is good for relationships review by Dr. Reis
9:55: (Paul) Being a good parent makes men appealing
Paternal care was a central component of human evolution review by Dr. Gettler
Sexual dimorphism declined prior to the emergence of Homo Sapiens review by Paul
13:10: (Eli) Effective support is often about celebration
Support in response to negative and positive events study by Dr. Gable
16:50: (Eli) Sometimes the head and the heart are in conflict
Self-control mitigates infidelity study by Dr. Brady
Resisting dates that are a “bad idea” study by Paul
19:20: (Eli) We want partners to make us feel special
Selective romantic desire > unselective romantic desire study by Paul
Unique treatment by our romantic partners is especially appealing study by Dr. Anik
Misconceptions in the movie
21:35: (Paul) Jerry is an unusual combination of personality qualities
People who are not ready for a commitment aren’t usually afraid of being single study by Dr. Hadden
Conscientious people aren’t usually afraid of being single study by Dr. Spielmann
23:25: (Paul) Jerry’s exes agree too strongly about what it was like to date him
25:30: (Paul) This relationship and marriage happens very quickly
26:20: (Paul) “You complete me” has a correct and an incorrect reading
People self-expand when falling in love study by Dr. Aron
“Are we ok with this?”
28:55: (Eli) Jerry is active, Dorothy is rather passive
30:10: (Eli) The sexual harassment when Jerry shows up drunk
31:45: (Eli) “I won’t let you get rid of me”
Relationship Quotes!
33:30: (Paul) A couple can lose 10 years being polite
35:00: (Eli) That’s an Audrey Hepburn movie
35:15: (Eli) Rod has a different interaction-style and intimacy preference from Jerry
What do we wish we knew?
36:40: (Eli) What happens to our relationship when our ideal self changes?
36:50: (Eli) What does it take to be a good wingman/wingwoman?
37:35: (Paul) How do other couples affect our standards for our own relationship?
Love languages in couples study by Dr. Mostova
39:25: (Eli) Is there a tradeoff between honesty and loyalty?
42:20: (Eli) How does ambivalence get resolved?
People strive to get out of an ambivalent state review by Dr. Righetti
Stars (1–5): The hosts rate the quality of the movie
Rusbults (1–5): The hosts rate the accuracy of the movie’s ideas about relationships
Music by Andrew Fraker and Sons
Artwork by Katie Keil