Noah Baumbach’s latest Netflix venture - Jay Kelly - hits limited release in cinemas in just a few weeks. I had the pleasure of seeing it at the BFI London Film Festival a few weeks back and have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to talk about it in a full-length review. The reactions to this movie have been pretty mixed since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Why anyone at Netflix thought a European premiere made sense for a movie about an aging Hollywood movie star is beyond me… but here we are. Since that premiere, the reviews for this movie have grown to be much more kind. I’ve been really long forward to Jay Kelly because Noah Baumbach’s films tend to work for me and the premise, as well as as the opportunity for Adam Sandler to be on a serious movie again, had me very excited. So, am I one of the people really high on Jay Kelly, or was the initial mixed reception warranted? Find out in this review! Jay Kelly hits Netflix on December 5th.
Jay Kelly:
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Written by: Noah Baumbach, Emily Mortimer
Produced by: Noah Baumbach, David Heyman, Amy Pascal
Executive Producer: Donald Sabourin
Music by: Nicholas Britell
Director of Photography: Linus Sandgren
Edited by: Valerio Bonelli, Rachel Durance
Casting by: Douglas Aibel, Nina Gold
Production Design by: Mark Tildesley
Cast: George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach
Synopsis: Famous movie actor Jay Kelly embarks on a journey of self discovery confronting both his past and present, accompanied by his devoted manager Ron.