George Clooney stands up for the acting chops of Adam Sandler (and himself)

First, in terms of Clooney's own career, in a life-imitates-art way, his titular character in "Jay Kelly" is often criticized with the assertion he "always plays himself." That's something that has been said frequently about Clooney. To that, Clooney said, "Do people say that I only play myself? I don’t give a s---...Have you ever tried playing yourself? It’s hard to do." 

Clooney also spoke, self-deprecatingly, about aging as an actor. 

When you’re an actor in my position, at my age, finding roles like this aren’t all that common. If you can’t make peace with aging, then you’ve got to get out of the  business and just disappear. I’m now the guy that, when I go running  after a bad guy, it’s funny—it’s not suspenseful. That’s okay. I embrace all of that.

In terms of Sandler, Clooney has gotten the ball rolling on the Oscar push. "This film, more than any film Adam has done, shows what a beautiful, heartfelt, soulful actor he is," the Oscar winner said, adding, "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. He’s not just a good comedian."

That's true. Well, the part about Sandler's acting abilities. We're not as sold on him being a "good" comedian. If "Jay Kelly" delivers on the buzz, with the help of a guy who is good at doing media like Clooney, Sandler should be in line for that Oscar nomination.

"Jay Kelly" is scheduled to have its world premiere at the Venice Internatoinal Film Festival on August 28. 

(h/t Variety)