George Clooney plays a suave movie star — a character he surely knows all too well — in Noah Baumbach’s upcoming dramedy Jay Kelly.
The film, co-written by Baumbach (Marriage Story, White Noise) and Emily Mortimer in her feature film writing debut, introduces “hero of cinema” Jay Kelly (Clooney). He’s a celebrated actor, yet he’s become disillusioned with the industry. (He’s also frequently criticized as only playing himself, a dig Clooney also knows all too well.)
Jay Kelly follows Jay as he travels across Italy in order to accept an award at a film festival. The plot is fittingly meta, given that Jay Kelly will have its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, positioning it as a possible awards season contender.
Along his journey, Jay is accompanied by his long-time manager Ron (Adam Sandler), with whom he reminisces about his career and relationships. He also crosses paths with his harried publicist Liz (Laura Dern, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her previous collaboration with Baumbach in Marriage Story), as well as a former acting friend who never made it in the business (Billy Crudup).
But Clooney, Sandler, Dern, and Crudup aren’t the only big names attached to Jay Kelly. Netflix’s first teaser for the film highlights its stacked cast, which also includes Riley Keough, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, and Greta Gerwig.
The teaser also gives us a taste of Jay’s ennui, along with several gorgeous shots of the Tuscan countryside. Escape into the world of Jay Kelly yourself above, but be forewarned: The words “Jay Kelly” are repeated so often, they’ll stop having any meaning.
Jay Kelly premieres Aug. 28 at the Venice International Film Festival, and goes on to play at the New York Film Festival. It hits select theaters Nov. 14, and arrives on Netflix Dec. 5.
