Noah Baumbach’s latest drama, Jay Kelly, delves beyond Hollywood’s glitz to tell a profound story about identity and relationships. The film follows movie star Jay Kelly (George Clooney), who is at a personal crossroads and travels to Europe to repair his strained relationship with his younger daughter, Daisy (Grace Edwards), before attending a film festival tribute in Italy.
The heart of the film lies not just with the actor, but with the people who have supported him through decades of fame.
Key Cast and Roles:
- George Clooney as Jay Kelly: The central figure, a successful actor attempting to reconcile with his past, especially his failings as a father.
- Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick: Jay’s fiercely loyal, lifelong agent and closest friend, who has sacrificed his own family life to maintain Jay’s world. Sandler drew on his own industry experience to portray the character, stating, “I’ve met many Rons in my last 40 years of working.”
- Laura Dern as Liz: Jay’s longtime publicist, whose deep care for the star is often overshadowed by exhaustion from managing his personal chaos.
- Billy Crudup as Timothy: An old friend whose reappearance forces Jay to confront painful memories from his past, leading to one of the film’s most powerful emotional scenes.
- Riley Keough as Jessica: Jay’s older daughter, who yearns to fix their bond while carrying the emotional weight of old hurts.
The film also features a strong supporting ensemble, including Stacy Keach as Jay’s father, Jim Broadbent as the director who discovered him, and roles by Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, Greta Gerwig, and Alba Rohrwacher.
Jay Kelly is described as a moving character study about rediscovering what truly matters beyond the spotlight. The film is currently available for streaming on Netflix.