Jay Kelly

So well done. Powerful message. He needed to give 200% to get the thing... and then 300% to keep it. So many can relate to this in today's high-demand, productivity-driven economy. And there is never enough time. And now he's reached a point where he's parched for what's now really hard to get.

We can extract many themes from this movie. It was bit meta too, as one of the greatest himself, we know he carried over a lot to the role, like the interesting bit about the intentionally "just adding some natural black" into his gray hair so it looks natural or the acting lessons of "Do you know how hard it is to be yourself? And then you have to act again outside of that" Whew!

Then people he lost along the way to greatness. Spiraling and then holding it together is a common theme among creatives who are pushed to the edge to survive in this industry.

The friendship with Adam's character was a great touch. And the theme of wondering who really is your friend when all your friends are on your payroll, a big one for people once they reach the top.

My only little thing with the movie was the ending; that last line felt a little abrupt. Was he saying he'd do it all again the same way? Or that he'd like another take at life so he can do it "right" this time?

We don't get movies like this anymore. It the 2000s and 2010s gems... Lost in Translation's Bill Murray's character meets Eternal Sunshine's memory jumps with a little bit of My Summer of Love filming style - all in a modern frame.

There was also that dreamy, nostalgic cinematography of movies beautifully filmed, with rich, deep dialogue and a slow pace, that left a mark on you with a life message.

Thanks, George, for giving us one more! Also, Adam, at the very least, an Oscar nomination.

An aging megastar (George Clooney) discovers that he has sacrificed far too much of his magnificent 35-year career in his private life. With his entire entourage (including Laura Dern and Adam Sandler as assistants whose sole purpose in life is Jay Kelly's well-being), he follows his recently grown daughter to Paris and accepts a trivial film award in Tuscany.

Hollywood is once again searching its own navel for entertaining stories about privileged people experiencing an existential crisis. The only noteworthy aspects are the European stars in minor supporting roles. Alba Rohrwacher plays a laid-back festival employee from Italy, and Lars Eidinger appears as a German cyclist with mental health issues. Oh yes, and it was nice to see Stacy Keach again, who plays Jay Kelly's father.

You can certainly laugh in Noah Baumbach's film, but primarily at the clash between the saccharine world of a Hollywood star and the everyday reality of ordinary people. It's entertaining, but also quickly forgotten.

If an aging, successful, handsome movie star makes a movie about an aging, successful, handsome movie star - you are constantly pondering how much of this is about him in real life and how much is just fiction? Whilst every actor must bring something from their life into a part we do need to remember that this is just a movie, it is not a George Clooney biopic. But boy it is hard to get that out of your head.

As a movie it is fine. It is not sensational, it is not moving, it is not exciting. It is gentle enough exploring the price of pursuing something at the cost of family and personal relationships.

There is achievement, but the price is too high.

Clooney is always excellent and the other roles, significantly Adam Sandler, (great to see him not in a childish comedy), all play well. The lifestyle depicted is hard to believe but here is where Clooney's real life must be a check. If this is not the way big movie stars travel then he would know. So I assume the entourage that accompany him for no good reason must be what happens when you are rich, famous and in need of babysitting. I can well imagine a secretary coming along but your lawyer?

All of them are leeches of one sort or another even the dedicated manager Sandler.

Do I care about Jay Kelly as a person? Not much. He's not a bad man but not a particularly good one either. He is a very ordinary man with talent and an extraordinary job.

I appreciated that Jay Kelly the superstar actor is not a diva. He doesn't throw things or shout and scream. He is perfectly pleasant which is what you hope for from such people. But he is somewhat self-absorbed which must be hard to avoid when everyone tells you how wonderful you are.

The last line of the movie, which I won't give away, is cleverly done. It could mean several different things and each viewer has to make their mind up about which way Kelly means it.

I strongly suspect that Clooney, as himself, would not have needed to say it.

I've loved Noah Baumbach from the jump, however here we are in 2025 with a retrospective character study that grabs, dips, and meanders from a semi-relatable introspection to how-did-we-get-here slog. I liked it? Yes, mostly. I was never bored, and I did laugh out loud at quite a few parts, it's just - - - editing, I guess? Some things definitely could have taken up residence on the cutting room floor. Sandler does a fine job, as does the entirety of the cast. I cue Sandler though because Sandler. He isn't exactly known for his subtlety. The music is a nice stand out. Mortimer being co-writer, her character could've gotten more play. And Laura Dern? Love her. But if the film lost her character entirely, that might give the pace a little more? As it stands, it's the cacophonous surroundings of Jay Kelly's world that elevate the film as much as it bogs itself down. Less is more.

I happen to catch this at the NYFF. This is the type of film we need now. It focuses on our humanity, our relationships, our joys and regrets. The movie captures accurately the working relationships of a movie star and his supporting entourage. And demonstrates the sacrifices that are sometimes necessary to achieve such success. The performances were wonderful. Adam Sandler has really come along way. He just gets better and better as a dramatic actor. His performance was heartbreaking and hopefully he'll receive many deserving accolades for it. Clooney, well, he never disappoints but this is the most vulnerable role I've ever seen him tackle and he did it superbly. I was very moved and hope everyone sees this film.