JAY KELLY – Review by T.J. Callahan
Jay Kelly: “My life doesn’t really feel real.”
Famous actor Jay Kelly continually asks after filming a scene, “Can I go again?” That question takes on a whole new meaning by the end of Noah Baumbach’s latest dysfunctional family meets Inside the Actor’s Studio character study of an aging star having second thoughts about his choices in life.
George Clooney plays Jay Kelly. A man so vain, he expects everything to be about him, but his fans think he’s Prince Charming. Jay Kelly really could have been written about Clooney, or at least we are led to believe this movie might be about him. A most elaborate and compelling This Is Your Life. Fortunately Kelly is surrounded by a very dedicated supporting cast in Adam Sandler as his long suffering manager Ron, and a frazzled Laura Dern as his frustrated publicist Liz.
The comedy/drama follows the repentant actor and his team as they travel by train through Europe chasing a relationship with Kelly’s estranged daughters whom he hopes will join him at a lifetime achievement award ceremony in Italy. Taking this bumpier road less traveled allows them all to reflect on their choices in life, their relationships and the legacy they’ll leave.
Sandler is on the short list as a possible best supporting actor nominee, playing against type here. He’s less comical and more vulnerably loyal as the only true friend Kelly has. Look for cameos in the film from Billy Cudrup, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Isla Fisher, Stacy Keach, and Baumbach’s wife and muse, Greta Gerwig. Baumbach gave himself and co-writer, actress Emily Mortimer, parts as well.
Baumbach and Mortimer got together to tell a story that on the surface is a very meta dive into the life of a movie star, but deep down penned a tale that could be about anyone who wants a “do over”. The film is a thinly veiled It’s a Wonderful Life. A Hollywood Christmas Carol with Clooney as a loveable Ebenezer Scrooge.
Jay Kelly tells us it’s not too late to make amends and you can use a black marker to darken your eyebrows. But while the film is poignant and full of clever one liners, the 2 hour plus runtime is a tad too long. The repetitive repentance becomes whining after a while and you may get a cheesecake craving as we wait for a resolution. The touching ending, a surprise to Clooney, is worth it though. Jay Kelly gets a 7 on the TeejFlixometer. See it in NY/LA/SF on November 14th. Nationwide on the 21st and on Netflix December 5th
