Jay Kelly fits squarely within the Drama genre, featuring the emotional depth and character-driven storytelling typical of such titles. It includes classic dramatic elements like personal conflict, self-discovery, and complex relationships, here seen through Jay Kelly's introspective journey and his interactions with key figures like his devoted manager Ron and father. What makes it stand out is its focus on a famous movie actor's internal struggles and reconciliation with his past, enriched by strong performances from actors like Isla Fisher and Stacy Keach, adding layers of nuance and gravitas that elevate it beyond conventional dramas.
Critics' Reviews
70
Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly” is a study of a man in the middle of a personality crisis who worries that he doesn’t have one, only the personalities which fictional characters and the glory of celebrity have granted him. It’s a deeply meta film, a movie that uses as its foundation what we know of its star, George Clooney, one of the few leading men who can coexist in the same frame with images of legends like Paul Newman and Marcello Mastroianni and we don’t immediately reject the idea. Clooney knows a thing or two about not being able to walk through public spaces without being mobbed and, one presumes, about how much the life of an actor pulls people away from other things in their lives, like friends and family.
Full Cast of Jay Kelly
Adam Sandler
Ron Sukenick
Patrick Wilson
Ben Alcock
Isla Fisher
Mrs. Alcock
Stacy Keach
Jay's father
Jim Broadbent
Peter Schneider
Josh Hamilton
Carter
Riley Keough
Jessica Kelly
George Clooney
Jay Kelly
Crew of Jay Kelly
Full backstage crew list →- Released November 12, 2025