The "Jay Kelly" hype is revving up: Will Adam Sandler get an Oscar nomination?

'Jay Kelly,' directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written with actor-writer Emily Mortimer, stars George Clooney as an aging performer grappling with an existential crisis during a European trip, with Adam Sandler playing his longtime manager and confidant. Clooney has already been vocal in praising Sandler’s performance, and the film’s Venice Film Festival premiere doubled as a major promotional push. Clooney, despite battling a sinus infection, walked the red carpet, while Sandler suited up in a tuxedo. The reception was emphatic: an eight-minute standing ovation, the kind typically associated with Cannes. Early reviews out of Venice have been strong, with many critics singling out Sandler’s work in particular.

The movie entered the fall festival season with awards buzz, but its Oscar prospects now feel all but assured. A Best Picture nomination appears likely, though the film itself may be considered too slight to ultimately win. George Clooney could face an uphill climb in the Best Actor race, but Adam Sandler’s turn in a supporting role already feels firmly planted in the zeitgeist, with a nomination seeming increasingly probable.

The bigger question may be whether Sandler can win. His performance has been warmly received, and when he leans into dramatic work, he has proved himself a capable, even compelling actor. Beyond that, Academy voters have a history of rewarding performers not just for individual roles but also as gestures of career recognition or goodwill. The “nice things are nice” Oscars of 2021 and especially 2022 underscored that tendency.

Netflix may fall short in the Best Picture race, but a Sandler win would still be a major victory for the streamer.

(h/t Variety)