A new Netflix drama with a star-studded cast has been hailed an « unforgettable masterpiece » by film critics. With George Clooney at the helm, the drama explores themes of family, legacy and the price of fame, as an outrageously high-profile movie star embarks on an unexpectedly profound journey across Europe.
Legendary Hollywood star Jay Kelly, played by Clooney, starts to confront what his job has cost him in terms of his personal life and emotional fulfilment, and he realises he may be at a crossroads. And there the viewer is pulled into a bittersweet, witty journey of someone who appears to have it all.
Charismatic, hugely successful, and deeply familiar with life in the spotlight, the interactions during the film help expose the gap between who Jay thinks he is and how he actually comes across. Some admire him, while some are tired of him.
The film is aptly named Jay Kelly, placing him at the centre of his own world as he makes an impulsive decision to travel through Europe, alongside Ron Sukenick, Jay’s longtime manager and closest companion, played by Adam Sandler.
The journey forces both men to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the lasting impact they’ll leave behind.
The Times handed out five stars and hailed the film as a « masterpiece » that « will reduce you to tears ». One person added on X: « Stunningly poignant. A great movie with many tour de force acting. For me, really a superb and unforgettable movie ».
However, the Guardian wasn’t quite so keen. It gave the film just one star, describing it as « a wildly sentimental and self-indulgent piece of cine-narcissism ».
It also divided opinion on Rotten Tomatoes, where it scored a respectable 87%. One viewer wrote: « Adam Sandler’s earnest performance and George Clooney’s movie-star ease keep JAY KELLY engaging, with lively cameos and glossy European flair. But its one-sided sympathy and shallow treatment of celebrity leave it more sweet than substantial. »
Jay Kelly, directed by Noah Baumbach, is streaming now on Netflix.
