Premiering in competition at the Venice Film Festival, with its Tuscan setting, it certainly feels like an apt place for Lake Como’s most recognisable resident to unveil his return to the silver screen. The story of a famous actor undergoing a late-career crisis, it’s an inward-looking navel-gaze that starts well but veers dangerously close to indulgence.
Then two things happen to give him pause for thought. Peter Schneider (Jim Broadbent), the director who gave him his big break as a young actor, dies. And, at the funeral, he meets Tim (Billy Crudup), an old acting class buddy.
And so he takes a private plane with his entourage, including long-time manager Ron (Adam Sandler) and publicist Liz (Laura Dern), as well as his hair stylist (Emily Mortimer) and other assorted hangers-on. His excuse? That he’s going to attend a career tribute in Tuscany, one he previously rejected.
“When I see you, I see my whole life,” cries one man, delighted, like something out of Fellini’s 8½. Behind the scenes, Ron and Liz are trying to firefight an escalating situation, as Tim looks to sue Jay for the injuries he suffered in their bar fight.
Nor when his “working stiff” father (Stacy Keach) arrives, gently berating his son where possible. By this point, though, Baumbach’s movie is starting to wallow in cliché, especially with Alba Rohrwacher’s over-the-top ‘Eye-talian’ handler.
View oEmbed on the source websiteAs for Baumbach, this glossy first team-up with Clooney feels far removed from the edgy indies he made with Gerwig like Frances Ha and Mistress America. In some ways, it feels like a tribute to Clooney (see the concluding montage, featuring clips of Clooney in Syriana, Leatherheads, The Thin Red Line and others).
The trouble is, everyone knows Clooney’s life is not as empty as Jay Kelly’s; quite the opposite in fact. The desired effect, for us to feel for his character mid-crisis, never quite works.
Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Hence then, the article about jay kelly review george clooney s latest is glossy and navel gazing but adam sandler excels was published today ( ) and is available on Radio Times ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Jay Kelly review: George Clooney's latest is glossy and navel-gazing – but Adam Sandler excels )
Also on site :