Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Jay Kelly’ is the poignant story of an aging film star named Jay Kelly (George Clooney). He recounts the moments in his life that shaped him, while also struggling to make sense of his legacy as an actor. In order to find himself again, he goes on a trip to Europe with Ron Sukenick (Adam Sandler), his loyal manager. The journey comes with its complexities as the two men have deep conversations about their partnership. Jay also shares complicated bonds with his daughters, Jessica (Riley Keough) and Daisy (Grace Edwards), which further complicates things.
Cinema and reality intertwine in Jay’s life as he goes through moments of pain, happiness, and doubt. The quest for meaning and the value of life are the core themes of the comedy-drama film directed by Noah Baumbach. In this list, we bring you movies, similar to ‘Jay Kelly,’ that delve into the intrigues of the lives of artists, while also posing philosophical questions.
12. Junebug (2024)
The Hallmark Channel’s ‘Junebug’ is the story of a middle-aged woman and book editor named Juniper (Autumn Reeser), who experiences a seemingly magical event. She is supernaturally connected to her eight-year-old self, called “Junebug.” Juniper and Junebug have heartfelt conversations as they try to figure out the future together. The younger self inspires the older self to pursue her dreams again and also connect with Alex, a handsome artist, whom Juniper recently crossed paths with. Juniper must decide if she can forge her own happy future or live without joy. Directed by David Weaver, the romantic comedy-drama film explores the core theme of an artist trying to find her voice again, which connects it to ‘Jay Kelly.’ Both films are about midlife crises and the strength needed to overcome them.
11. All That Jazz (1979)
In ‘All That Jazz,’ Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider) is a choreographer and director who lives a life of excess and hedonism. He attempts to redeem himself through a Broadway show, while also dealing with the women in his life. His womanizing nature and drug addiction also trouble him as he edits his new film. His past and present converge in mysterious ways when he struggles with the ideas of life and death. When all this chaos culminates in a heart attack, only the women close to him can save his life. Helmed by Bob Fosse, the musical drama film is a nuanced take on life, legacy, love, and ambition. Akin to ‘Jay Kelly,’ it features an artist at the heart of the story, who deals with insecurities and thoughts about the past. The main characters in both films strive to achieve something meaningful, while also navigating the complexities of relationships.
10. Annette (2021)
‘Annette’ is the tale of Henry McHenry (Adam Driver), a comedian, and a singer named Ann Defrasnoux (Marion Cotillard), who get married after a chance meeting in LA, and a budding romance. Their seemingly perfect marriage suffers due to Henry’s jealousy. Things get more difficult when Ann gives birth to their daughter, Annette, who appears to be extremely talented. However, their daughter might be the reason for negative outcomes in their lives. The musical romantic drama film, directed by Leos Carax, reflects the familial and professional elements of ‘Jay Kelly.’ Henry and Jay complement each other as they explore challenges to their legacy.
9. Tár (2022)
Written and directed by Todd Field, ‘Tár’ revolves around Lydia Tár (Cate Blanchett), an accomplished musician who has achieved almost every accolade in her career. She becomes the first female director of a major German Orchestra, and is just a few days away from a major concert, which will be the next big thing in her already eventful life. However, her personal life starts to trouble her in unexpected ways, as she faces challenging scenarios with her daughter. Her tumultuous and hidden past comes back to challenge her as she struggles to keep everything together. The heart of the psychological drama film is the cost of greatness, which is also an idea that Jay grapples with in ‘Jay Kelly.’ Both stories feature main characters who face serious questions about the meaning of their lives and legacies.
8. The Wrestler (2008)
‘The Wrestler’ chronicles the adventures of Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a wrestler at the end of his long career. He faces financial difficulties, which force him to work at a grocery store. While competing in wrestling matches on weekends, he somehow manages to keep his talent alive. Once a popular man in the 1980s, he is now a shadow of his younger self. To break away from this irrelevance, he must make a difficult choice, which might require him to return to the ring on a professional level and face a tough opponent.
During this process, he also hopes to reconnect with his estranged daughter and find love. The sports drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky examines the struggles of an aging man, establishing a spiritual connection between Randy in ‘The Wrestler’ and Jay in ‘Jay Kelly.’ The ideas of redemption and reconnecting with children in both stories connect them on a thematic level.
7. Whiplash (2014)
‘Whiplash’ narrates the experiences of Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller), who craves success in the field of music. To achieve his dream of becoming a successful jazz drummer, he enrolls at the Shaffer Conservatory in New York City, where his path crosses with teacher and conductor Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), who sets high standards and demands absolute perfection from his students. An extremely volatile and verbally violent relationship develops between Neiman and Fletcher as they navigate the extremes of musical endurance.
With every beat of the drum, the chaos and anxiety of the student are amplified as he battles against the elements to find his rhythm without rushing or dragging. The psychological drama film, written and directed by Damien Chazelle, continues the story established in the director’s eponymous short film. It is connected to the world and characters of ‘Jay Kelly,’ as it explores artistic expression, the value of art, a person’s legacy, and the relationships that shape an individual.
6. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
‘Inside Llewyn Davis,’ directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, revolves around the experiences of a folk singer named Llewyn Davis (Oscar Isaac), who hopes to become a solo singer. His financial struggles and lack of housing facilities make his life more challenging, as he has to rely on the charity of others. As he hustles through the chaos and streets of New York City in the 1960s, he must constantly struggle to achieve something worthwhile in his life. However, finding a voice in the big city comes with a cost. In the company of his cat, he must decide how long he can keep his fight alive. The period black comedy drama film is a haunting exploration of the struggle for survival and relevance, navigated through the points of view of an artist. These themes reflect ‘Jay Kelly’ and the struggles of its main character.
5. Black Swan (2010)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, ‘Black Swan’ chronicles the ups and downs in the life of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a ballerina hoping to achieve greatness. She is noticed by drama director Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel), who hopes she can play the dual roles of the “Black Swan” and “White Swan” in the upcoming ballet adaptation of “Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.” However, when Nina pushes her limits to achieve perfection in her role, she starts experiencing surreal phenomena that blur the line between fiction and reality. The psychological horror thriller film, akin to ‘Jay Kelly,’ is about the legacy of an actor who struggles to find meaning. The stories feature elements of grief, doubt, and insecurities that challenge both Nina and Jay.
4. Synecdoche, New York (2008)
In ‘Synecdoche, New York,’ theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) leaves Schenectady for New York City to prepare for his most ambitious work. He has a serious and rare health condition, and a strained relationship with his wife and daughter. For this grand production, he persuades several actors to abandon their comforts and live in a massive warehouse that he has transformed into a life-size replica of NYC. But when he gets deeply involved in the production process, the line between reality and imagination seems to disappear. Helmed by Charlie Kaufman, the psychological drama film deals with the same ideas of relevance, redemption through art, and a flawed main character that the narrative of ‘Jay Kelly’ does.
3. Lost in Translation (2003)
Directed by Sofia Coppola, ‘Lost in Translation’ follows a struggling and aging actor named Bob Harris (Bill Murray), who looks to find a new direction in Tokyo, Japan. He crosses paths with Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), a newly married yet lonely woman who struggles to adjust to her new reality. Both are enduring unhappy marriages and find comfort and a sense of safety in each other’s company as they navigate the cultural differences in Tokyo.
As their bond deepens, they must come to terms with the fact that they are only in each other’s lives temporarily and may soon have to part ways. The romantic comedy-drama film, like ‘Jay Kelly,’ is about people looking to discover new perspectives on life. Despite the differences in the plot elements, the films portray experiences of American actors in foreign countries where they hope to discover themselves again.
2. Sunset Boulevard (1950)
‘Sunset Boulevard’ or ‘Sunset Blvd.’ is a portrayal of the struggles in the movie industry. The dark comedy noir film narrates the story of Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), a washed-up movie star who lives a mundane life, secluded from the chaos of the outside world. When she unexpectedly gets the offer to work with a screenwriter named Joe Gillis (William Holden), it leads to a troubling tale of romance, obsession, and redemption. With Joe in need of money and Norma in need of a return to the big screen, their relationship only gets more chaotic. Directed by Billy Wilder, it reflects the world of ‘Jay Kelly’ due to its examination of fame, redemption, relationships, and relevance in the world of cinema. Norma and Jay, despite the gender differences, are deeply connected thematically.
1. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
‘Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)’ centers on a washed-up film star named Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton). He prepares for a Broadway production, even as his legacy and family life with daughter Sam (Emma Stone) collapse in front of his eyes. He struggles to be relevant on the big screen, which pushes him towards a risky role on stage. As the stage production faces a challenge due to the injury of a performer, Riggan hires Mike Shiner (Edward Norton), an actor who challenges him like no one ever has. Amidst all the chaos, he finds an unlikely friend who may help him achieve redemption. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, the black comedy-drama film deals with the pursuit of legacy and relevance, just like ‘Jay Kelly.’ The journeys undertaken by Riggan and Jay connect their characters on a spiritual level.
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