Directed By Noah Baumbach; Written By Noah Baumbach & Emily Mortimer; Starring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, and Eve Hewson.
Jay Kelly follows a famous movie actor (George Clooney) who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past and present with his devoted manager Ron Sukenick (Adam Sandler). This is the latest from filmmaker Noah Baumbach, whose work I’ve admired for a while. From past directorial credits such as The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha, and Marriage Story to scripts he’s co-written for other directors such as Fantastic Mr. Fox with Wes Anderson and Barbie with Greta Gerwig.
This time, he’s directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with actress Emily Mortimer, who also appears in the film. The script is very well detailed as it really digs into the life of a successful movie star in such a meta way. Behind the camera, Baumbach manages to pull off several imaginative sequences as Kelly looks back at his life multiple times throughout. Linus Sandgren’s cinematography adds quite a bit of visual flourishes to the proceedings. The musical score by Nicholas Britell feels very classical. Although I do feel that the pacing by editors Valerio Bonelli & Rachel Durance could’ve been tightened up in a few places.
As the title character, the casting couldn’t have been more appropriate with George Clooney. Often heralded as a modern day Cary Grant, he uses his likable persona and signature suave well. Not to mention that there are times where his dramatic chops are on great display. Over the years, we’ve come to know Adam Sandler as this goofy comedian. Yet as Mr. Kelly’s manager, this is literally the most sincere, down to Earth he’s ever been. On paper, he and Clooney seem like such an odd pairing. Yet together, they share such heartfelt chemistry. Of this movie’s large ensemble cast, highlights to me were Jim Broadbent, Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig, and Patrick Wilson.
Anyone with life experiences should easily connect with Jay Kelly. I may be in my early 30s, but I still found plenty to relate to. This movie is a celebration of life, friendship, and how we find ourselves when we need to. It’s currently available to stream on Netflix. They may have recently made headlines with their acquisition of Warner Brothers (leaving many concerned), but they’re still putting out good work.
Rating: 4/5
Jay Kelly follows a famous movie actor (George Clooney) who embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past and present with his devoted manager Ron Sukenick (Adam Sandler). This is the latest from filmmaker Noah Baumbach, whose work I’ve admired for a while. From past directorial credits such as The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha, and Marriage Story to scripts he’s co-written for other directors such as Fantastic Mr. Fox with Wes Anderson and Barbie with Greta Gerwig.
This time, he’s directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with actress Emily Mortimer, who also appears in the film. The script is very well detailed as it really digs into the life of a successful movie star in such a meta way. Behind the camera, Baumbach manages to pull off several imaginative sequences as Kelly looks back at his life multiple times throughout. Linus Sandgren’s cinematography adds quite a bit of visual flourishes to the proceedings. The musical score by Nicholas Britell feels very classical. Although I do feel that the pacing by editors Valerio Bonelli & Rachel Durance could’ve been tightened up in a few places.
As the title character, the casting couldn’t have been more appropriate with George Clooney. Often heralded as a modern day Cary Grant, he uses his likable persona and signature suave well. Not to mention that there are times where his dramatic chops are on great display. Over the years, we’ve come to know Adam Sandler as this goofy comedian. Yet as Mr. Kelly’s manager, this is literally the most sincere, down to Earth he’s ever been. On paper, he and Clooney seem like such an odd pairing. Yet together, they share such heartfelt chemistry. Of this movie’s large ensemble cast, highlights to me were Jim Broadbent, Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig, and Patrick Wilson.
Anyone with life experiences should easily connect with Jay Kelly. I may be in my early 30s, but I still found plenty to relate to. This movie is a celebration of life, friendship, and how we find ourselves when we need to. It’s currently available to stream on Netflix. They may have recently made headlines with their acquisition of Warner Brothers (leaving many concerned), but they’re still putting out good work.
Rating: 4/5