George Clooney Is Quietly Touching in Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly

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A man might transition from being a young, popular movie star to a distinguished silver fox unexpectedly. While there are numerous films focusing on aging actresses, such as Sunset Boulevard and All About Eve, society seems to expect men to handle aging with more ease. Women’s appeal may lessen with age, but for men, it’s easier to develop a sexy maturity. This is particularly true for George Clooney, both in real life and his character in Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly, premiering at the Venice Film Festival. The film’s story about a successful actor re-evaluating his life after an altercation with an old friend offers a fresh perspective, providing Clooney with opportunities to shine in various scenes – from being charismatic and charming when needed to introspective and brooding when portraying regret for past mistakes. Overall, Clooney delivers an impressive performance.

The film, co-written by Emily Mortimer along with Baumbach, features Jay Kelly who seems unusually static. Despite nothing inherently dislikable about the movie, it feels more sentimental than profound, especially in the recurring theme that echoes loudly in Jay’s mind: Why didn’t I spend more time with my children? Jay is a father to two – an older daughter (Riley Keough) laden with resentment towards him, and a younger one (Grace Edwards) who has a better understanding of him, although she is on the brink of leaving for college. His closest ally is Ron, his manager, who, the movie hints repeatedly, takes 15% of everything he earns. But is Ron truly a friend? Both Jay and Ron grapple with this question, and their response leaves neither of them content.

Perhaps the issue could be that Jay Kelly attempts to tackle too many aspects, resulting in a superficial treatment of moments that should carry more weight. As the film begins, Jay is filming the closing scene for his latest major production, titled Eight Men from Now, a name that subtly references Budd Boetticher’s 1956 western, Seven Men from Now. Despite already completing over half a dozen takes, Jay insists on one more, driven by an unwavering pursuit of perfection and the belief he can always surpass his previous work. Leaving the set, he warmly acknowledges the crew and receives their admiration. He thrives on this kind of recognition. When alone, which is seldom, Jay feels lost as to how to occupy himself. The film’s recurring theme, echoed perhaps a bit too often, is “It takes more effort than you’d imagine to truly be yourself.

In a moment of serendipity, I unexpectedly cross paths with an old acting-school comrade, Timothy, portrayed by Billy Crudup. On a whim, we decide to grab a drink together. Over the years, Timothy has taken a different path and is now a child psychiatrist. I believed he left acting behind, but little did I know.

As we catch up, I express my admiration for him, unintentionally revealing my own insecurities. You see, Timothy was known for his deep Method approach to acting – something I’ve always felt I could never quite match. Initially, he greets me warmly, but soon his demeanor shifts.

It turns out that Timothy harbors a grudge against me, believing I am the reason for his lack of success in the industry. In various interviews, I’ve humorously shared a story about how I accidentally landed my first major role by tagging along on a friend’s audition. Guess who that friend was? Timothy, and he seems to think I exploited him. With a bitter tone, he accuses me of stealing his life, leaving me crestfallen.

Though I might be naive to the extent of my impact on his career, I am not intentionally cruel.

There’s a lot to explore in this film, but Jay Kelly seems restless and quickly moves on to something else. The film festival in Tuscany wants to honor him with an award, but he initially declines until he learns his daughter will be traveling in Europe at the same time. This leads Baumbach to include a lengthy train scene from Paris to the Italian countryside, which could have been shortened or even removed altogether. Throughout the movie, there are many supporting actors who appear briefly for one scene, like Jim Broadbent playing the kind director who launched Jay’s career, Alba Rohrwacher as a friendly festival assistant, Greta Gerwig as a stressed-out wife of another character, and Stacy Keach as Jay’s talkative but difficult father. Laura Dern makes a quick appearance as Jay’s frustrated publicist; they share the best scene in the film, reminiscing about the time they almost stayed together forever, even though they are now with other partners.

George Clooney’s character, Jay Kelly, shines brightly yet absorbs more from those around him, indicating a deeper dependence on others than they have on him. This portrayal is moving, as Clooney manages to stir empathy for a character who appears to be empty inside. During a tribute in Tuscany, we witness various clips from Clooney’s career instead of Jay Kelly’s, showcasing his versatility as an actor. These clips span different periods of Clooney’s career, including his role as a lonely scientist in “The Midnight Sky.” Throughout the film, we see Clooney watching himself on screen, observing roles that range from dignified middle-aged characters to impossibly young ones. The expression on his face expresses a mix of curiosity and fascination, as if he’s questioning who this person is, captivated by his own image. This scene serves as the most striking question mark in a movie filled with unresolved questions.

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2025-08-29 01:06