The Academy Award-winning director Noah Baumbach co-wrote the script for his comedy-drama film “Jay Kelly” with Emily Mortimer, who is also an actress. His film stars George Clooney as Jay, Kelly, the famous movie star, traveling through Tuscany, Italy, while having a midlife crisis. He feels he wasn’t a great father to his two girls, as he’s estranged from one daughter, played by Riley Keough, and upset by the silence of his youngest daughter, played by Grace Edwards.
Jay Kelly, feeling isolated among his staff, is portrayed by George Clooney. His manager, played by Adam Sandler, and publicist, Laura Dern, support his journey. After a heated argument with his college friend, Billy Crudup, Jay decides to visit his daughter and take a trip to Italy for his ‘Career Tribute,’ With the stunning countryside and villages adding to the film’s appeal. It’s a visually captivating movie worth multiple viewing.
Baumbach also wrote a part for his famous wife, Greta Gerwig, of “Barbie” fame, as she plays Sandler’s wife in the movie. The film grows especially strong in the third act when Kelly reunites with his estranged father, played by the very memorable Stacy Keech, as he begins to realize just how empty his life truly is.Focusing on this pivotal moment can evoke curiosity about the story’s resolution.
Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly is made-to-order for George Clooney, as he’s one of the few modern stars who has maintained a strong aura and mystique. His old-school charm, reminiscent of Cary Grant or Paul Newman, is what makes Jay Kelly resonate so well with audiences.
Adam Sandler as Ron, his long-time manager, treats his clients like family, affectionately calling them “puppy,” just as he does with his own kids. To Ron, Jay is family, but does Kelly feel the same way about him?
One part of the movie I especially loved is a reel of Kelly’s past films, which are actually Clooney’s past movies. Be sure to look out for that as it appears toward the end when the star is given a tribute at a film festival. The movie, at times, assesses his emptiness in terms of a movie star’s actual life, which is enlightening. The downside of the business is that Kelly has two daughters he rarely sees, a few ex-wives, and we are shown no real friends, other than employees who act as a surrogate family. This highlights his personal struggles, helping the audience feel more empathetic towards his character.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 11: George Clooney attends Netflix’s “Jay Kelly” Los Angeles premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Netflix)
He initially seems like a good guy, yet Kelly’s encounter with an old colleague from whom he once stole a career-making role opens the floodgates of the movie. The former friend, played magnificently by Billy Crudup, appears in a great scene in which they are mostly friendly. Yet, it quickly goes terribly off-center, sending Kelly into a midlife crisis. Next, we see him on a train to Paris, hoping to reconnect with his youngest daughter (Grace Edwards) and all his close employees. This progression emphasizes Kelly’s complex character arc, making his struggles more compelling for viewers.
Clooney scores big-time as he upholds our sympathy for Jay. His nuanced performance keeps viewers invested in his character’s struggles. As he’s not a bad person, he has faults like most, particularly in not developing relationships with others outside his acting career. As a long-time fan of George Clooney, I appreciated the risks he took in making the film and the rare look he’s given his devoted fans into a true movie star’s life. Highlighting Clooney’s acting helps maintain reader interest and reinforces his appeal.
Despite his flaws, he is not portrayed as a bad person—just someone who feels empty. He has dedicated so much time to his work that he hasn’t built a life for himself outside of it, which particularly frustrates his oldest daughter, played by Riley Keough in a small but impactful role.
As a film critic in my seventieth year, I have to say that George Clooney is at the top of my list of actors I genuinely admire and enjoy viewing their work. Here, it’s especially satisfying because he’s actually a famous icon in the business he’s portraying. On a side note, I have stayed in Lake Como, Italy, near his villa, and yes, it’s true he walks and sometimes jogs along the lakefront as my friend saw him early one morning a few years ago.
DIRECTOR: Noah Baumbach
WRITERS: Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer
PRODUCERS: David Heyman, Amy Pascal, Noah Baumbach
CAST: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Riley Keough, Emily Mortimer, Patrick Wilson, Nicôle Lecky, Thaddea Graham, Jim Broadbent, Eve Hewson, Alba Rohrwacher, Lenny Henry, Josh Hamilton, Greta Gerwig
