George Clooney, 64, stars in Noah Baumbach's new film 'Jay Kelly', streaming on Netflix from Friday. The film explores the life of a famous actor confronting regrets and missed opportunities in pursuit of greatness. Clooney admitted he was drawn to the role partly because good parts become harder to find with age.
The cast, including Adam Sandler, Laura Dern, and Billy Crudup, signed on without reading the script, drawn by Baumbach's reputation. The film, co-written with Emily Mortimer, offers a clear-eyed portrait of Hollywood, from managers and publicists to actors who made it and those who didn't.
Clooney reflected on fame through his aunt Rosemary Clooney, who became famous at 16. 'She believed all the stuff when they tell you how great you are... Then the business changed and she wasn't prepared for that,' he said. He also emphasised the importance of failure, noting, 'You can't be an actor and not fail.'
In the film, Jay Kelly re-evaluates his life after a colleague's death and a reunion with an old acting school friend. He follows his daughter to Europe under the guise of accepting a lifetime achievement award. Clooney said he doesn't share his character's regrets, stating he would be content if he died tomorrow, having built good relationships and a few great films.
Sandler and Dern, who play a manager and publicist, drew on their own experiences with their teams. Sandler observed his agent's multitasking, while Dern noted her publicist has been with her since she was 19. The film serves as an homage to the people who support actors behind the scenes.
