George Clooney praises Adam Sandler’s performance in Jay Kelly, here’s what the actor said

Jay Kelly is the forthcoming film directed by Noah Baumbach. The coming-of-age comedy-drama is scheduled to have its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it received a Golden Lion nomination. Here is the official synopsis as per Letterboxd,

Famous movie actor Jay Kelly and his devoted manager Ron embark on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones, and the legacies they’ll leave behind.

George Clooney and Adam Sandler play the lead roles. Recently, Clooney praised the latter's performance in the film.

George Clooney praises Adam Sandler's performance in Jay Kelly

Clooney spoke to Vanity Fair and praised his co-star Sandler:

“This film, more than any film Adam has done, shows what a beautiful, heartfelt, soulful actor he is—I kept telling the cast, ‘Don’t call him Sand Man. Don’t talk to him like he’s just some goofy comedian. He’s actually a really beautiful, wonderful actor."

Clooney added that Sandler is more than just a good comedian.

“Because of what his paycheck is, which is doing big goofy comedies, when he does these other, beautiful, Uncut Gems kinds of movies, it reminds people of that. He’s not just a good comedian.”

Jay Kelly is written by Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer. Baumbach, who is also the director, has co-produced it with Amy Pascal and David Heyman. Here is a list of its cast members:

George Clooney as Jay Kelly
Adam Sandler as Ron
Stacy Keach as Jay's father
Laura Dern as Liz
Greta Gerwig as Ron's wife
Jim Broadbent as the late director
Billy Crudup as Jay's acting friend
Riley Keough as Jay's eldest daughter
Grace Edwards as Jay's youngest daughter
Patrick Wilson
Eve Hewson

The film has received a Golden Lion nomination, which is the highest honor of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. On November 14, 2025, the film will be released in selected theaters. It will eventually drop on Netflix on December 5, 2025. It is the fourth Baumbach film to drop on the streamer after White Noise, Marriage Story, and The Meyerowitz Stories.

Are you excited about the film?