It might be time for the Academy to invite the “Sandman.”
Adam Sandler has long been one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, but his work in Noah Baumbach’s “Jay Kelly” could finally land him where critics and cinephiles have long wanted to see him: in the Oscar race.
The U.S. premiere at the Telluride Film Festival marked a career-defining moment for Sandler, who joined Baumbach and co-star Laura Dern on stage as the filmmaker received a Silver Medallion tribute. Dern, who won her supporting actress Oscar for Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” (2018), praised her longtime collaborator, while Sandler reflected on Baumbach’s ability to “write the most beautiful words.”
Despite his box office dominance, Sandler has rarely been considered a serious Academy Awards contender. Over the years, critics have championed his work in films like Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Punch-Drunk Love,” the Safdie brothers’ frenetic “Uncut Gems” and Jeremiah Zagar’s basketball drama “Hustle,” which earned him a SAG nomination. Yet the Oscar nod has remained elusive.
In “Jay Kelly,” Sandler plays Ron, the devoted manager to fictional movie star Jay Kelly, portrayed by George Clooney. This is the type of character that could resonate strongly with voters — a man who sacrifices for the art and legacy of another, mirroring the unheralded agents and managers who make Hollywood run.
Some could see similiarities to a number of roles in James L. Brooks movies like Jack Nicholson in “Terms of Endearment” (1983) and could set him up for a run that could mimic omparisons Robert Downey Jr.’s triumphant supporting actor campaign for “Oppenheimer” (2023) where the Academy finally rewarded a respected veteran for a career-defining turn. This will all be dependant on how good “Jay Kelly” does overall with the Academy.
Though Clooney provides the film’s star wattage, Sandler emerges as the emotional anchor. His wry humor and unexpected vulnerability have drawn attention, even as reviews for “Jay Kelly” have been good, rather than glowing.
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Still, it is not a one-man showcase. Billy Crudup delivers a sharp, scene-stealing performance in his brief screen time, while Dern provides the steady gravitas she has long been known for, adding layers to the film’s exploration of fame, artistry and sacrifice.
As a distributor, Netflix has built a reputation for shepherding films with uneven critical consensus into major awards contention, from “Emilia Pérez” (2024) to “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (2020) and “Don’t Look Up” (2021). The streamer’s machinery is crucial in ensuring Sandler stays in the spotlight, especially as the platform balances other awards hopefuls such as Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” and Kathryn Bigelow’s “A House of Dynamite.”
But let’s be real for a moment… this is a film made for the Hollywood artists.
Baumbach co-wrote “Jay Kelly” with Emily Mortimer, crafting a story that feels tailor-made for Hollywood insiders. Chronicling the relationship between a movie star and his manager as they navigate fame, regret and mortality, the film offers a love letter to those who work behind the curtain of celebrity. That meta-narrative could give Sandler an advantage with Academy voters who see themselves in the story. And who knows? Perhaps Clooney, a two-time Oscar-winner for “Syriana” (2005) in supporting actor and “Argo” (2012) in best picture, can find a way to squeeze into what is sure to be, an extremely competitive lead actor category.
But for Sandler, who has spent decades being underestimated by critics while adored by audiences, “Jay Kelly” could finally offer a place for both groups to meet and celebrate the iconic actor.
From Variety US