With Adam Sandler recently reprising a beloved comedy role in Happy Gilmore 2, the actor’s next Netflix film shows off more of his range.
Ahead of the Nov. 14 theatrical premiere of their film Jay Kelly, which then moves to the streamer on Dec. 5, George Clooney praised his co-star as more than “just some goofy comedian” in the Noah Baumbach comedy-drama.
“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,’” he told Vanity Fair.
“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,” added Clooney. “He’s not just a good comedian.”
Clooney stars in Jay Kelly as the title character, who embarks on a whirlwind and unexpectedly profound journey through Europe with his manager, Ron (Sandler). Along the way, they are are forced to confront the choices they’ve made, the relationships with their loved ones and the legacies they’ll leave behind.
Baumbach directed the film — his fourth for Netflix — and co-wrote it with Emily Mortimer, who also appears in the film. The ensemble cast also features Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, Greta Gerwig, Alba Rohrwacher, Josh Hamilton, Lenny Henry, Nicôle Lecky, Thaddea Graham, Isla Fisher, Louis Partridge and Charlie Rowe.
Jay Kelly will have its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival next month.
