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Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly Debuts on Netflix as Awards Buzz Builds for Its Ensemble

The streaming launch draws fresh attention to Adam Sandler’s lauded turn and a widely discussed scene from Billy Crudup.

Overview

  • Following a limited theatrical run in mid-November, the film began streaming globally on Netflix on Dec. 5.
  • George Clooney stars as a veteran movie icon on a Europe-bound trip, in a meta drama co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer.
  • Critics single out Billy Crudup’s bar sequence as a standout, citing his emotionally charged reading as a scene-stealer.
  • Adam Sandler’s portrayal of longtime manager Ron is earning strong notices, with multiple outlets noting Oscar chatter.
  • Reviews praise craft and specific set pieces but describe the film’s tone and structure as uneven, while emphasizing that the story is fictional rather than a Clooney biography.