The Venice Film Festival is always a feast for the eyes, with glittering red carpets, flashing cameras, and stars in gowns and tuxedos that could stop traffic.
Last night, the world premiere of Jay Kelly promised just that – and more – with George Clooney at the center of the spotlight.
But as the lights dimmed in the theater, the buzz quickly gave way to disappointment: the film didn’t quite live up to its glittering hype.
Sky-High Expectations for a Star-Studded Comedy
Noah Baumbach’s name alone sets expectations high.
After the critically acclaimed Marriage Story in 2019, anything from him is bound to draw attention.
Add a cast featuring George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Greta Gerwig (Baumbach’s partner), and co-writer Emily Mortimer, and you’d think the result would be a sparkling comedy.
Sadly, that’s not the case here. Jay Kelly feels labored and uneven, with a premise that sounds fun on paper – a celebrated movie star playing a celebrated movie star – but delivers laughs far below its potential.
Clooney’s Jay Kelly and the Strains of Fame
George Clooney’s character, Jay Kelly, is adored everywhere he goes, flattered and feted like a living legend.
His long-time manager, played by Adam Sandler, is devoted to him – but behind the adulation, Jay is increasingly jaded.
That inner weariness is brought sharply into focus when he encounters an old drama-school friend, played by Billy Crudup, whose resentment reminds Jay of the costs of fame.
Family Ties and European Misadventures
Part of Jay’s jadedness stems from strained relationships with his daughters.
To reconnect, he follows his younger daughter on a backpacking trip through France and Italy.
Here, he leaves the luxury of first-class travel behind, navigating crowded trains and gradually losing members of his entourage.
Baumbach tries to mine bittersweet comedy from these misadventures, and Clooney and Sandler give it their all, but the material often feels thin and repetitive.
Repeated Jokes and Missed Opportunities
One of the clearest signs of the script’s mediocrity is its repetition of otherwise clever ideas – like the comedic tension in having your manager also take 15% of your wages.
These moments could have been genuinely funny, but instead, they feel overplayed.
When films reflect on Hollywood itself, the results can be joyful and sharp. Unfortunately, Jay Kelly elicits only a few smiles amid long stretches of boredom.
When and Where to Watch
For those still curious, Jay Kelly will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 5.
