JAY KELLY 2025
by
Noah Baumbach
No one, except Ron, the closest approximation of a friend. Ron is genuinely fond of Kelly, cares for him and his career, addresses him as ‘puppy’ and has been with him throughout. Adam Sandler lightens the screen with his warm, bright, honest presence as Ron. He is somehow able to convince the audience that despite having a family of four to take care of and other clients to run, ‘puppy’ assumes the top place in the order of precedence. Even Liz, Kelly’s publicist, played beautifully by the very gorgeous Laura Dern, sort of concedes that to be the case (the primacy of Jay’s interests), yet also acknowledges the commercial foundation of their relationship.
If Jay Kelly was a successful Indian actor-cum-star, he would be surrounded by a legion of favour seekers. His progeny would follow him to get launched in their careers. Many directors and producers would form ‘camps’ with him. Many artists and technicians would always be in his camp; sundry friends would never leave his side. Old classmates would address him reverentially. Neglected spouse would never leave him despite his public philandering. Politicians and journalists would want a piece of him in morning, noon and night. Alas, Jay Kelly did not have it so easy, and yet his sudden existential crisis seemed like a cry for more attention than a spilling over of work-fatigue. Well, maybe, he didn’t like that particular Lois Brothers’ film that is about to start, and which is being strongly pitched by Ron. Is not mentioned in passing during an argument that the role required someone who was 35 years old?
Noah Baumbach and co-writer Emily Mortimer do not push any idea very firmly. Jay Kelly, the star, is introduced through a wrap-up scene. He is allowed to ‘go mellow’ as the movie takes shape. All his expectations come cropper in real time (as the film progresses); he finds out his ‘human’ worth as he chases his daughters across Europe. George Clooney is such a huge, handsome presence that he lends weight to the emotional crisis. If such a tragedy can befall this perfect man, should not average Joes pay more attention to their families and friends?
Amid all this, Jay runs into his acting-school roommate. Their drinking session begins with mutual admiration, but degenerates into a physical brawl, with the latter accusing Kelly of stealing not just his part, but also his life. Despite Billy Crudup’s credible performance, it is outrageous to suggest that a single role can make or mar a career. One has to repeat his success, time after time, to succeed, like one has to be consistent with failure to get lost into obscurity. That said, it is easier to accept one’s own failure by finding someone to blame for it. The roommate was looking for his own closure; Jay, perhaps, provided him one out of pity, than guilt.
Just when you begin to feel that perhaps Kelly, and by extension, Baumbach, are overdoing the crisis and the abandonment part, the climax sets these doubts to rest. After watching a showreel of his career spanning over three decades, Kelly exclaims, “Can I go again. I’d like another one”. By owning up his career and the ensuing adulation, Jay in a way declares that it was all worth it (and why the hell not?). His elder daughter also summed it up pretty well that she had come to terms his absence and would still be having a good life without him being a part of it, like he had enjoyed a great life without making her a part of it. Does not exceptional success call for small sacrifices? Can anyone who has squeezed himself dry at work offer anything more than lip service to other pursuits like human relationships?
While Clooney allows vulnerability to chip at his immense stardom, Sandler does enough to show us a man caught between his family, friendship, dignity and professional requirements. The world celebrates Kellys and their careers, and as much as Kelly would credit Ron or label his success as ‘shared’, the Rons of the world are not decorated with ‘lifetime achievements’. This film can expect a couple of acting nominations (not wins) by the Academy, but I don’t think Baumbach would be among those shortlisted for direction or writing. Keep an eye upon Billy Crudup though. He can be turn out to be a dark horse as Supporting Actor!
#billycrudup #georgeclooney #adamsandler #jaykelly #noahbaumbach #academyaward #emilymortimer #netflix #hollywood #existentialcrisis #gometa #metafilm
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