The Venice Film Festival welcomed back familiar faces on Thursday night, as George Clooney and Noah Baumbach graced the event for the world premiere of Baumbach’s film, *Jay Kelly*. The screening received an enthusiastic 10-minute standing ovation from the audience.
Clooney stars in the film’s eponymous role, portraying a famous actor navigating a late-career crisis during a cross-country trip across Europe, accompanied by his devoted but often ridiculed manager, played by Adam Sandler, in a role specifically tailored for Clooney by Baumbach.
David Rooney, the lead critic for *The Hollywood Reporter*, offered a mixed review, acknowledging that the film is “at times witty and entertaining” but describing it as “mid-tier Baumbach at best.” Nonetheless, he praised Sandler for his nuanced performance as Ron Sukenick, Jay Kelly’s manager, noting that it “creates an intimacy that Jay Kelly seldom nails with its title character.”
The evening’s accolades were primarily directed towards Clooney, who demonstrated his dedication by attending the red carpet despite battling a sinus infection. His participation had been uncertain prior to his arrival alongside his wife, Amal Clooney, at Venice’s Sala Grande.
Initially, Clooney had to forgo several press events and media engagements during the festival due to his illness, including missing the *Jay Kelly* press conference and leaving a private dinner with Baumbach and the cast early. Baumbach lightheartedly remarked on Clooney’s absence from the press gathering, stating, “Even movie stars get sick.”
*Jay Kelly*, co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer—who plays a small part as Kelly’s stylist—is in competition at the Venice Film Festival, making it one of three titles from Netflix vying for awards. The streaming service is positioning the film as a potential heavyweight in the upcoming awards season, with both Clooney and Sandler expected to receive Oscar consideration for their performances.
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In addition to Baumbach and Sandler, the film features co-stars Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, and Emily Mortimer. Clooney was also accompanied on the red carpet by his agent, Bryan Lourd of CAA.
