Jay Kelly (2025)

Clooney’s Hall of Mirrors - Jay Kelly review by griggs

There’s something knowingly artificial about Jay Kelly — a film that gleams like a Nespresso advert stretched to feature length. George Clooney plays Jay, a famous actor who might as well be playing himself playing Cary Grant: all charm, poise, and immaculate tailoring. The performance loops neatly — Clooney impersonating an icon impersonating Clooney. He knows exactly what he’s doing: an icon discovering, perhaps too late, that charisma isn’t connection.

Yet the film isn’t just about Jay. Adam Sandler’s Ron, his weary but loyal manager, gives the story ballast. Their European wanderings become a two-hander about public polish and private need — Clooney’s gloss against Sandler’s awkward sincerity. When Ron finally drops the act and simply asks Jay a question, the film, for a moment, exhales.

Still, Baumbach and Mortimer’s script mistakes smoothness for soul. Everything gleams, nothing quite sticks. Jay Kelly moves you briefly, but the emotion fades with the lights — a study of men so practised at charm they can’t escape its shine.

Very Watchable Story of Redemption & The Price of Fame - Jay Kelly review by GI

Director Noah Baumbach's study of the price of fame and a story about regrets and trying to rediscover what are the real joys of life. In many ways this is, perhaps, a bit overly sentimental but with George Clooney in the titular lead role it actually finds just the right level without tipping over into a saccharine yucky story. Jay is a global movie star who relies on his entourage, led by manager Ron (Adam Sandler) in the running of his life. At a funeral of the director (played by Jim Broadbent) who gave him his big break but who Jay also rejected when his mentor was struggling, he bumps into an old drama school colleague who reveals how much he hates Jay for stealing his big break. This leads him onto a journey of attempted redemption especially with his two daughters with whom he has been a poor father. The journey is into Italy where Jay has to face some home truths about how he is perceived by those around him and re-evaluate his relationships especially with Ron. Clooney is perfect in the role and brings a moving performance that has the contradictions of a man who loves the fame but also feels the looses that it has cost him and includes the responsibility he now holds over those who need his fame for their own lives. An enjoyable and interesting film with a strong support cast that includes Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Greta Gerwig, Patrick Wilson, Stacey Keach and Emily Mortimer, who co-wrote the script.