George Clooney stars in Noah Baumbach's 'Jay Kelly,' playing an aging movie star reflecting on his life. The film, also featuring Adam Sandler and Laura Dern, explores fame and regret, leading Clooney to an unexpected emotional moment when confronted with his own career montage.
George Clooney takes on the role of Jay Kelly, a 64-year-old movie star full of regrets, in Noah Baumbach's new Netflix film. Clooney, eager for a good role as he ages, joined the cast, which also includes Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup, many of whom signed on based solely on Baumbach's reputation. The film offers a 'clear-eyed portrait' of Hollywood, examining the lives of actors, managers, and publicists, and the often illusory nature of success and happiness in the industry. Clooney reflects on the impact of early fame, drawing parallels to his aunt Rosemary Clooney, and the necessity of embracing failure in an acting career. The character of Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self-discovery, following his estranged daughter to Europe. The article highlights the 'teams' that surround movie stars, with Sandler and Dern leveraging their real-life experiences to portray a manager and publicist. Actors shared advice from industry legends like Dustin Hoffman and Norman Lear, emphasizing the importance of working with great filmmakers and prioritizing personal relationships over work. A profoundly emotional moment for Clooney occurred during the filming of a career montage for Jay Kelly; unbeknownst to him, it featured clips from his actual filmography. This surprise led to a genuine, overwhelming reaction captured on film, making it into the movie and onto the poster. Clooney concludes by expressing gratitude for his 'lucky life,' noting that his most cherished memories from movies are about the experiences, not just the scenes.
