picks

THE BUZZ ON WHAT TO WATCH, READ & LISTEN TO THIS WEEK!

- LIZZ SCHUMER,LOUISA ERMELINO,KIM HUBBARD,PAULA WOODS

Jay Kelly

Adam Sandler and George Clooney lead a starry cast in the poignant dramedy about fame and family

MOVIE

“Fame is like a river that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid,” philosopher Francis Bacon once said. Self-involved movie star Jay Kelly (a pitch-perfect George Clooney) figures this out too late in life. He has a palatial home and adoring fans but not many true connections—a realization that hits him like a gut punch when his acting mentor (Jim Broadbent) dies and one of his two distant daughters, Daisy (Grace Edwards), leaves for a European trip with friends.

What’s an egotistical dad to do? Drop out of a movie and follow Daisy abroad, no matter the headaches it makes for his stressed publicist Liz (Laura Dern) and loyal manager Ron (Adam Sandler, giving his most nuanced performance yet), who join Jay on his impetuous lark.

Cowriter and director Noah Baumbach assembled one of the best ensemble casts of the year, with scene-stealing moments from Billy Crudup as Jay’s bitter former friend and Stacy Keach as Jay’s salty, insult-hurling father. The truth hurts, but Jay needs to hear it.

—ERIC ANDERSSON (R, in theaters Nov. 14, on Netflix Dec. 5)

Tiffany Haddish Goes Off

Eight years after her hit comedy Girls Trip, Tiffany Haddish and three of her childhood friends travel through Africa together. While on their journey of cultural exploration, the ladies exchange deep secrets and talk through their conflicting views. The unscripted gem is a sweet testament to the power of female friendship.

—RAVEN BRUNNER (Nov. 13 on Peacock)