Famous movie actor Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting his past and present with his devoted manager Ron. Poignant and humor-filled, pitched at the intersection of regrets and glories.

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Jay Kelly

Noah Baumbach’s latest movie is called ‘Jay Kelly’, and it is about a movie star who reflects on his life choices as he travels through Europe to receive a lifetime achievement award. The titular character is played by George Clooney, because if you were going to cast someone to play a movie star, who else would you turn to? It features an ensemble cast with too many names to mention, many of whom flit in and out of the story with barely a moments breath, with the exception of Kelly’s loyal manager Ron, played by Adam Sandler in another of his ‘he’s actually a good actor when he isn’t doing silly comedies’ role. 

‘Jay Kelly’ begins as its titular character is wrapping up a film shoot and about to move on to his next project, when a couple of significant events change his mind. His acting mentor (Jim Broadbent) dies, and his youngest daughter (Grace Edwards) decides to travel to Europe with friends before starting college there, instead of spending summer with her father. An altercation at the funeral with an ex-roommate and acting rival (Billy Crudup, in one of the best supporting appearances), prompts Kelly to turn down the new movie and set off for Europe after his daughter, with the secondary aim of attending the ceremony where he’ll receive an award. Essentially this is a midlife crisis movie, but it’s a midlife crisis where the crisis is relative, given it is happening to a rich, good looking and famous actor, and that makes it difficult to relate to.

I think Baumbach wants it to play as a satire of the moviemaking industry and the self-absorption of famous actors, and while it does have hints of this, more so it comes across as self-satisfied and dare I say a little smug (Clooney does do smug very well, whether it’s intentional here or not I’m not entirely sure!). George Clooney is fine in the leading role but not awards worthy in my view, and this is a role very much in his wheelhouse, but it is fair to say Adam Sandler is really good as his long suffering manager, friend, confidante etc. A few of the supporting performances are good, namely Billy Crudup (who I wish we saw more of), and Riley Keough as his eldest daughter, but by and large familiar faces come and go leaving a limited stamp on the story.

‘Jay Kelly’ has some solid performances and provides moments of insight into the life of a rich and famous movie star, and the sacrifices and regrets that come with that life, but it is also populated largely with characters it is hard to like and that kept my investment in this movie at arms length.

Rating: 3/5

Directed By: Noah Baumbach

Starring: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, Greta Gerwig, Alba Rohrwacher, Josh Hamilton, Charlie Rowe and Louis Partridge

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt30446847/