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Jay Kelly film image; man smiling near a billboard with his face on it

Jay Kelly

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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

Director
Cast

George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards

Credits
Country of Origin

USA/UK/Italy

Year

2025

Language

English

18+
132 min
Comedy Drama

Book Tickets

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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 headshot

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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