Canadian Premiere
George Clooney — sorry, Jay Kelly — is going through some things. He’s a world-famous movie star, a kind of latter-day Cary Grant with devilish good looks, charm, and urbanity. His success has exceeded all reasonable expectation, so why does he feel a nagging dissatisfaction? They say he only ever plays himself, but how can that be when he barely knows who he is in the first place? Touring Europe with his friend and manager Ron (Adam Sandler), Jay starts to ask himself some tough questions and reflect on the choices he’s made. Is this a meaningful life? Is change possible?
Jay Kelly is a wise and witty comedy from director Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story; Frances Ha) and co-writer Emily Mortimer, featuring an all-star cast.
Missed it at VIFF? Catch it at the VIFF Centre after the festival.
Supported by
Media Partner
George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards
USA/UK/Italy
2025
English
Book Tickets
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Donald Sabourin, Emily Mortimer
Producer
David Heyman, Amy Pascal, Noah Baumbach
Screenwriter
Noah Baumbach, Emily Mortimer
Cinematography
Linus Sandgren
Editor
Valerio Bonelli, Rachel Durance
Production Design
Mark Tildesley
Original Music
Nicholas Britell
Noah Baumbach
Filmography: Kicking and Screaming (1995); Mr. Jealousy (1997); Greenberg (2010); Frances Ha (2012); Marriage Story (2019); White Noise (2022)
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