George Clooney, battling a sinus infection, and Adam Sandler received an 8.5-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival premiere of Noah Baumbach's 'Jay Kelly' on Thursday night. The screening, which ended near 1 a.m. during a thunderstorm, saw the crowd pour into the rain-soaked streets.
Clooney, who missed the film's press conference due to illness, attended the premiere with his wife Amal, kissing her during the applause. He hugged Sandler and Baumbach throughout the ovation. On the red carpet, Clooney initially tried to socially distance but soon engaged with fans, signing autographs and hugging jury president Alexander Payne.
'Jay Kelly' follows Clooney as an aging movie star and Sandler as his manager, embarking on a European journey to reflect on life choices. The film, written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, features an ensemble cast including Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, and Riley Keough. Clooney described the role as the most 'vulnerable' of his career, noting the rarity of such parts for actors his age.
Baumbach has previously premiered films at Venice, including 'White Noise' and 'Marriage Story'. Clooney has also attended the festival multiple times, while 'Jay Kelly' marks Sandler's first Venice premiere. The film's strong reception has sparked early Oscar speculation.
