Time: 132 Minutes
Age Rating: M – Offensive language
Cast:
George Clooney as Jay Kelly
Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick
Director: Noah Baumbach

Jay Kelly is Noah Baumbach’s latest movie, starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler. I knew that it was about Clooney playing a movie star and it was getting some awards attention. I was interested in the movie for the talent involved alone and I thought it was pretty good.

Essentially, Jay Kelly is a sentimental character dramedy, which explores the flaws in its lead character who is looking back at his life with regret, and going through an identity crisis. It definitely runs a bit long, but I was fairly invested in the movie. I do like where it ended up and the note it ended on, and the emotional payoff was solid.

There’s a great cast assembled here. George Clooney is really good and well cast here, he does well at conveying all sides to the titular character, charming, egocentric but also with introspective and meditative moments. Adam Sandler is also great as Jay’s manager, I like his arc over the course of the movie. He and Clooney share believable chemistry together and you can buy their characters’ years of friendship together. There are also some solid performances from a good supporting cast including Laura Dern, Patrick Wilson, and Billy Crudup and Riley Keough especially make strong impressions in their limited screentime.

Noah Baumbach’s direction is pretty good. It’s beautifully shot and accompanied by a nice jazzy score from Nicholas Britell.

Jay Kelly is a sentimental, reflective, well written and directed dramedy with incredible performances.