The U.K. premiere of the film Jay Kelly drew attention on the South Bank in London on October 6, 2023, featuring notable appearances by George Clooney, Adam Sandler, and acclaimed director Noah Baumbach. The screening took place at the Royal Festival Hall during the BFI London Film Festival, which runs from October 8 to 19.
In the film, Clooney portrays a fading movie star striving to reconnect with his teenage daughter as she travels across Europe. The narrative unfolds as he accepts a prestigious lifetime achievement award at an arts festival in Tuscany. Co-written by Emily Mortimer, the film originally premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August.
Sandler, who plays Clooney’s longtime manager, spoke enthusiastically about his co-star. “I got to play a man who loves this man here,” he said, referring to Clooney. Their playful banter on stage showcased their long-standing friendship as they joked during Baumbach’s introduction of the film. Sandler continued, “My character lives for this guy, for Jay Kelly. He cares about everybody. He doesn’t like compliments, but he’s a great dude.”
As the spotlight shifted to Jim Broadbent, who plays a mentor to Clooney’s character, Sandler expressed the collective admiration for Broadbent’s performance. “We’re all on stage, and [we’re] so happy that we can say we did a movie with Jim,” he beamed. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, highlighting Broadbent’s impactful presence in the film.
Clooney, accompanied by his wife, Amal Clooney, echoed Sandler’s sentiments. “It was an honor to be with Jim. We’re all really lucky to have had this experience,” he remarked. He praised Baumbach, calling him “an incredible director” and noted that the entire cast was thrilled to work together. “We all would have said yes. I think we all did say yes because we wanted to work with him,” he added.
Baumbach also shared his perspective on the film’s development, highlighting the importance of London in the production. “I do want to say actually, because we shot a lot of the movie here in London as well as Italy,” he explained. “This is really the homecoming for this movie and me.” The director expressed gratitude for the collaboration with their talented team, emphasizing the special nature of the premiere.
Sandler’s role as the weary manager Ron has already generated buzz for potential awards recognition. A review from The Hollywood Reporter describes the film as “a bittersweet buddy movie that overloads on saccharine,” indicating a mixture of heartfelt moments and humor throughout.
As the festival continues, Jay Kelly stands out as a highlight, bringing together talent from various backgrounds and showcasing the power of collaboration in storytelling. With its engaging narrative and celebrated cast, the film is poised to resonate with audiences beyond its premiere.
