Jay Kelly stars George Clooney as a 60-something movie star reflecting on his life, family, and past regrets. The film follows Jay as he travels through Europe, hoping to reconnect with his younger daughter, Daisy (Grace Edwards), before she leaves for college.
Unlike traditional self-discovery stories, such as Eat Pray Love, Jay’s journey is prompted by a desire to make up for past absences, particularly toward his older daughter, Jessica (Riley Keough). Directed by Noah Baumbach, the movie explores Jay’s career, relationships, and the choices that continue to shape him.
Chasing Daisy Across Europe Amid Legal Troubles and Tensions with His Entourage
After completing a film, Jay plans to spend time with Daisy, but discovers she is embarking on a pre-college trip across Europe with friends. Determined to be near her, he follows under the pretense of work commitments, including attending a tribute at an Italian film festival.
Jay eventually encounters Daisy in France, but she is uncomfortable with his surprise appearance and resists his attempts to join her. His actions are motivated by guilt over being an absent father, particularly to Jessica, whose unresolved feelings about his neglect frame much of the emotional core of the story.
Jay Kelly (Netflix)Jay brings his entourage along for the journey, but tensions rise as team members grow frustrated with his demands and leave one by one. Only his manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), remains to provide support.
During the trip, Jay faces a legal challenge when Timothy (Billy Crudup), a former acting school friend, attempts to sue him for assault. Jay’s team uncovers past legal issues of Timothy’s and uses them to convince him to drop the complaint. This allows Jay to focus on personal reflection and the relationships that have long been affected by his career-driven choices.
Strained Family Ties and Personal Reflection Culminate at Jay’s Lifetime Tribute in Tuscany
The story reaches a turning point at a lifetime tribute in Tuscany. After being abandoned by Daisy, Jay invites his estranged father (Stacy Keach) to join him, but he leaves before the event due to illness. Ron stays, and their relationship evolves between professional duty and genuine friendship.
Meanwhile, Jay’s bond with Jessica remains strained. Flashbacks reveal moments of missed connection, and a late attempt to invite her to the tribute ends in rejection. These interactions highlight the lasting impact of Jay’s choices and the difficulty of repairing broken relationships.
The film concludes with a montage of Jay’s career, paralleling his personal journey. Imagining loved ones in the audience, he delivers the poignant final line: “Can we go again?” This mirrors the opening scene, in which he requests another take on a movie, now applied to his life. The ending emphasizes themes of regret, longing, and the desire for second chances, leaving viewers with a thoughtful reflection on family, aging, and the pursuit of connection.
