Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer have carefully constructed a thoughtful and poignant drama about sacrifices and regrets as seen through the eyes of a famous actor.
Delving deep into what it truly means to be movie star and the sacrifices that have to be made along the way, it could be easy to imagine that this film would be slightly self-indulgent in the way in which it handles the topic. However, thanks to the perfectly placed writing of Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer and central performances, it feels infinitely richer emotionally than expected.
The film begins with Jay abandoning his latest film, looking and sounding lost as to where his life is heading. Off the back of this, he decides to follow his daughter to Italy along with his agent Ron on a journey of self-discovery that forces them both to confront the choices they have made in life. But it is also a story of friendship and family and what truly matters in life.
As well as the way in which the film has been written complete with flashes of humour and striking honesty, Jay Kelly is clever in the way in which it has been filmed. The moments in which the audience is taken directly into Jay’s mind and how he reflects on a variety of memories is a powerful tool – as is the way it highlights the team behind jay Kelly to make him who he is for the cameras.
While there is humour on display throughout, there is also a sense of deep rooted sadness to the way in which the story unfolds. From his friend Timothy’s confrontation about how Jay ‘stole’ his life to the painful confrontations he has with estranged daughter Jessica, there is plenty to be dissected emotionally here and the only aspect that could have been explored in more detail is Jay’s relationship with his father.
Naturally, the film is given its grounding through George Clooney’s performance as Jay – whether or not you choose to ask questions as to whether the actor himself is reflecting on his own personal experience in the industry. Clooney offers extraordinary depth as the character, completely immersing himself into the character’s journey of self-realisation that keeps the audience thoroughly invested.
But he is also well matched with Adam Sandler as Ron who showcases the character’s vulnerability to heartbreaking effect, leaving the audience desperately hoping that Jay recognises this before its too late. They are surrounded by a wonderful range of cameo performances including Billy Crudup as Timothy who challenges jay’s outlook on his life, Jim Broadbent as the director who discovered Jay and is a close confidant and it would have been lovely for the film to have made more of Laura Dern’s character Liz.
It could be argued that the end of the film feels a little abrupt and less clear, which can make it feel unsatisfying. However, this flaw aside there is plenty to leave the audience thinking about – particularly in terms of the cost of fame and is that cost really worth it in the grander scheme of life itself?
Jay Kelly as a film is as entertaining as it is poignant, leaving audiences thoroughly satisfied in many ways.
By Emma Clarendon
Jay Kelly is out in cinemas on the 14th November.
Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️