Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Jay Kelly review says this gem features George Clooney and Adam Sandler as the sparkling leads, and the stellar supporting cast is the perfect setting for them.

Jay Kelly review

When I mention the film Jay Kelly to people who haven’t seen it yet, they usually comment, “Oh yeah — isn’t that the semi-autobiographical George Clooney movie?”

I must respond that while there are some similarities to the actor and the person he portrays (good looks, loads of charisma, a career full of hits…and a few bombs) the two don’t have much in common. In fact, when Clooney was chatting with me and a group of my colleagues, he said, “When I first read the {director Noah Baumbach-written} script, I thought this guy was kind of a dick.”

I don’t think anyone could play a more enjoyable dick than George Clooney. Especially when he’s backed up Adam Sandler, in the seminally and layered role as the mercurial Jay Kelly’s harried agent.

It’s a lush film about an A-List actor at the tail end of his prime as he’s forced to take inventory of his life, career, priorities and choices. He’s coming to grips with the fact that his two daughters and his extensive posse do not necessarily see him as he sees himself, in his rare moments of introspection.

I was thrilled by Linus Sandgren’s rich cinematography. Well chosen, his credits include some of my favorites, like La La Land, Salt Burn, Don’t Look Up, No Time to Die and American Hustle. The score by Nicholas Britell (If Beal Street Could Talk, Moonlight, Battle of the Sexes, The Big Short) also add lovely emotion, energy, whimsy and dimension.

Jay Kelly review — the sublime cast

But it was the supporting cast that absolutely knocked me out. Director Noah Baumbach made an appearance, as did his wife director/actress Greta Gerwig. It was an absolute treat to see Billy Crudup, one of the best things about The Morning Show, as Jay’s old frenemy, and the radiant Alba Rohrwacher, from My Brilliant Friend, as the Italian tour manager.

It gets even better with Laura Dern, Stacy Keech, Emily Mortimer (who co-wrote the script with Baumbach), Patrick Wilson, Isla Fisher, Riley Keough, and Sadie Sandler—Adam’s daughter playing his onscreen character’s daughter.

The film a personal family and friends affair that we’re all invited to join in. More than an inside Hollywood spoof, Jay Kelly is a tender, amusing, and sometimes ironic look at a gifted man taking stock of his life, and occasionally coming up short. Surprisingly enough, we can relate.

Rated R

2 Hours and 12 Minutes

If this Jay Kelly review makes watching irresistible, you can find it playing now on Netflix.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Jay Kelly review says this gem features George Clooney and Adam Sandler as the sparkling leads, and the stellar supporting cast is the perfect setting for them.