“It’s a hell of a responsibility to be yourself. It’s much easier to be somebody else, or nobody at all.” —Sylvia Plath, American poet and author
George Clooney steps into the life, mind, and history of an aging film star in Jay Kelly (streaming on Netflix). The opening scene moves us through the organized chaos of a film studio. We overhear casual conversations between staff members while they attend to their jobs as we move through a set populated by camera operators, makeup artists, scenery consultants, and the director, until we meet the leading man, Jay Kelly, filming the final scene. When the scene ends, it’s a wrap. But Kelly asks, “Can I go again? I’d like another one.” The director assures him they have plenty of takes. Maybe Kelly is just insecure.
Kelly is a composite of career-driven actors who claw their way to fame and fortune in Tinseltown. We meet him at his peak, a box office star positioned for immortality through his films. Like many young Hollywood wannabes, his thirst for success planted his career front and center, storing his personal life in the B file, until later. But later comes too late. By the time Kelly decides to spend time with his now grown-up daughters (Riley Keough and Grace Edwards), his dad status is barely on life support. Yet his idea of quality time is urging his daughters to accompany him to the industry tribute honoring Kelly’s long, successful film career. Kelly is permanently clueless.
Adam Sandler plays Ron, Kelly’s devoted manager, who oversees everything professional and, when necessary, personal. Ron is Kelly’s parent, brother, assistant, and lackey, and he refers to Kelly as “Puppy.” Ron’s family life also seems to come second. Sandler steps out of his lighter, more typical film roles to inhabit this character. Well done, Adam.
Produced and directed by Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Frances Ha), and cowritten with Emily Mortimer, this tale seasons a serious message with some comedic moments. Baumbach draws material from his own life and his observations of others. In Jay Kelly, he dramatizes brief scenes from Kelly’s past with cleverly staged flashbacks that give us clarity and perspective. We observe Kelly reflecting on details of his life and decisions he has made, for better or worse, though his conclusions might not agree with those of the people his behavior has affected.
George Clooney pumps this role for a lasting impression, alerting viewers that Jay Kelly might not be a role model.