Jay Kelly
Review by Mark Woodring
This movie screams “AWARDS BAIT!” at the top of its lungs. George Clooney starring as an aging movie star who is suddenly confronted with the failures of his past, from his career to his family, all while traveling through France and Italy on his way to a tribute to his career?
**NOTE: You can read Mark’s review below, then use the links to listen or watch as he and Ryan discuss the film further. Remember, you can listen to all our discussions of this and every other movie directly over on ACAST. Stay tuned.**
132 Minutes, Rated R
Written by Noah Baumbach, Emily Mortimer
Directed by Noah Baumbach
Synopsis:
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.
With a supporting cast that includes Adam Sandler, Laura Dern and an incredible supporting turn by Billy Crudup, the film is directed by Noah Baumbach. As such, Jay Kelly seems tailor-made to appeal to critics with its Hollywood adoration.
I, on the other hand, have never considered myself a Noah Baumbach fan. Sure, I mildly enjoyed Marriage Story, but even that one was more a product of liking the cast than the film.
Don’t get me started on White Noise. That movie hurt my soul, I hated it so much.
Heck, even among my fellow Utah critics, I’ve traditionally been the one to come out of these kind of films, listen to them all rave above them, and have to say “Nope.”
Imagine my surprise then, when I found myself on the other side of the aisle after screening Jay Kelly. As the credits began to roll, I heard the murmurings around me and decided to head out of the auditorium first so I could give my thoughts to the studio rep before anyone else came out.
I loved this film. A lot of people simply can’t like Jay, or feel that his redemption isn’t earned, or any of a hundred other arguments. I believe the opposite of any of these arguments can be refuted within the film.
Now, do I believe Jay Kelly is a perfect film? Of course not: precious few films are. But I think it’s very good, and Clooney is as good or better than I ever remember him being. He embodies this character who is not, in his manager’s words, “a movie star,” but rather an actor who became famous. He struggles with imposter syndrome while simultaneous being oblivious to the insanity of his existence.
He acknowledges his failings as a father while doing nothing to change his own behaviors. Jay Kelly is a conflicted man, one who knows what he has done wrong, but incapable of truly grasping what he needs to do.
With rampaging examples of Hollywood lunacy (as embodied by his entourage) bumping up against his personal and professional depression, along with the themes of regret of both things done and undone, I was in the film for the entirety of its 132 minute run time.
Slightly too long? Sure.
But I don’t truly begrudge those extra minutes. Not really.
At each screening since Jay Kelly, we critics have discussed what is “wrong” the film while I defend my appreciation for it. I think it’s legitimately awards worthy, with some of us trying to decide how to work Crudup into our nominations.
In the end, I can’t tell you whether you should see Jay Kelly or not. Clearly, the film isn’t a universal crowd-pleaser, but I still enjoyed the hell out of it.
Maybe it’s partly due to the fact that I share some regrets with Jay, and so it bypassed some of my critical defenses. I don’t know.
Jay Kelly is available to stream on Netflix today and stars George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Billy Crudup, and Laura Dern.
And remember, if the BEST thing you can say about a movie is that it’s “visually stunning,” then they’ve done something wrong.
Please don’t forget to LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW us on:
- Facebook (@vsmoviepodcast)
- X (@vsmoviepodcast)
- Instagram (@visuallystunningmoviepodcast)
- Threads (@visuallystunningmoviepodcast)
- YouTube (@visuallystunningmoviepodcast)
- Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our audio wherever you listen to podcasts (https://shows.acast.com/vsmoviepodcast)
And please, if you like what we do, consider helping us keep on entertaining you. You can use this handy link:
Or, you could check out the merch in Our Store:
Not only will you be helping us out if you pick up some merch, you get cool stuff to wear around (including the coveted WTFWT? logo!)
