George Clooney explores the inner life of a movie star in ‘Jay Kelly’

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A movie star is, simply put, someone well-known for their roles in films. But it’s more than that – these stars often become a reflection of our own hopes and dreams. Audiences project their own feelings onto them, effectively turning the star into a kind of open canvas.

This raises several questions: What defines a movie star, what motivates someone to seek such a life, and how does fame impact them personally? The film “Jay Kelly” explores the emotional costs of stardom, and its strength lies in avoiding the self-obsession often found in Hollywood stories.

I just saw Noah Baumbach’s new film, “Jay Kelly,” and what really struck me is how, even with all the weirdness of fame – the managers, publicists, and constant security – the movie never loses sight of the person at the center of it all. It’s a really human story, even amidst all that craziness. Emily Mortimer co-wrote it with Baumbach, and their collaboration really shines through.

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In Noah Baumbach’s comedic take on Hollywood, featuring George Clooney, David Crudup shines as a struggling actor, giving a performance many are calling one of the best of the year.

The film greatly benefits from casting George Clooney as Jay Kelly, a seasoned movie star. The role perfectly showcases Clooney’s talents for physical comedy, witty dialogue, and portraying emotional pain. It feels like a blend of his work with the Coen brothers and his performance in “Michael Clayton,” offering something both new and a career highlight. Essentially, George Clooney, a well-known actor, seems to have found the ideal role playing a struggling movie star.

Jay has a short break during one summer and wants to use it to connect with his daughter, Daisy, before she leaves for college. However, Daisy is planning a European trip with her friends. Determined to spend time with her, Jay convinces his overworked manager, Ron, to get him an award he previously declined at a film festival in Tuscany. He then sets off for Europe with his team, hoping to join Daisy’s adventure.

Adam Sandler plays Jay, a comedian whose manager is trying to keep both him and his client happy while subtly steering him toward a desired result. Sandler expertly blends the friendly style of his comedies with the emotional complexity of his dramatic roles. Laura Dern stars as Liz, Jay’s publicist, who is completely fed up with his behavior.

The movie quickly becomes a series of brief encounters with many different characters. As Jay travels, he meets new people and often flashes back to those from his past. Jim Broadbent plays the director who launched Jay’s career – a character inspired by filmmaker Peter Bogdanovich, a close friend of the director, Noah Baumbach. Several other well-known actors, including Alba Rohrwacher, Josh Hamilton, Patrick Wilson, Isla Fisher, Stacy Keach, and Greta Gerwig (Baumbach’s wife and a frequent collaborator), make brief appearances, as does Baumbach himself.

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Billy Crudup has a small role as one of Jay’s old acting friends, but their conversation is surprisingly powerful. They revisit the past and express hidden frustrations, which deeply affects Jay and validates his insecurities. Crudup’s performance, especially a moving delivery of a simple restaurant menu, is a standout moment.

Noah Baumbach has always been excellent at capturing small details, really understanding how people behave and what makes them tick. However, his recent films – including the acclaimed “Marriage Story,” his adaptation of “White Noise,” and the hugely popular “Barbie” (which he co-wrote) – show he’s also developed a grander vision. This ability to think big is especially evident in his latest work, “Jay Kelly.”

Baumbach is a gifted director when it comes to staging scenes with a lot of dialogue. He moves actors and the camera with both energy and accuracy, which actually enhances the humor. The film features several impressive moments – like a vibrant opening shot circling a movie set, and a lengthy scene set on a crowded train traveling between France and Italy – that brilliantly demonstrate how dialogue-driven stories can still be visually captivating and lively.

Baumbach has become more confident in crafting expansive scenes, but he also understands the power of simplicity. He demonstrates this in a phone call between Jay and his daughter Jessica (played with strength by Riley Keough), staging it with the actors walking together. This seemingly small choice dramatically changes the scene, highlighting both their connection and their distance – making it deeply moving.

The movie culminates in Jay, having shed his false persona, finally accepting his award, which is accompanied by a montage of clips from George Clooney’s films – a reel so well-made it could easily be used for a real tribute to the actor. Considering everything Jay has endured, this moment is surprisingly touching. Seeing Clooney, playing Jay Kelly, watch a tribute composed of his own work isn’t as confusingly self-referential as it sounds; instead, the film briefly drops its silliness for a genuinely heartfelt conclusion.

Baumbach and Clooney have created a compelling character who learns from his errors, even though some are irreversible. While the character, Jay Kelly, is on a journey of self-discovery, the film itself, “Jay Kelly,” is a remarkably polished and impressive work.

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2025-11-14 21:01