“Sentimental value” mitigates celebrity regret much better than “Jay Kelly”

If there’s one thing Hollywood loves, it’s movies about itself. From Singing in the rain has Babylonthe epic highs and lows of being a creative in the film industry are ripe for their own stories. Regarding the latter, this fall offered two new titles that take very different approaches to the same theme. The first, Joachim Trierit’s the festival darling Sentimental valueexplores the broken relationships within a Norwegian family, where the absent father is a famous director separated from his two daughters, one of whom is a theater actress.

On the other end of the spectrum, Noah Baumbachthe latest version of Netflix, Jay Kellyfinds the titular actor (played by George Clooney in a rather meta position) looks back on his life and questions the impact his career has had on his personal relationships. Both films are in discussion for awards this year, with Sentimental value so far, taking over. This isn’t much of a surprise given that, in the debate over the pitfalls of being a celebrity, Trier’s approach is far more successful.

“Jay Kelly’s take on Hollywood is blunt and generic compared to the unique characters in “Sentimental Value

From the start of Jay Kellythe audience is told that Clooney’s character is a star of the highest order. His presence is felt before he even appears on screen, the camera panning across a cavernous soundstage to emphasize the scale of the production led by Jay. The real Jay Kelly is seen only briefly before sinking into character; viewers first meet him at work, which has defined his entire life. From there, Baumbach makes short work of establishing the key facets of Jay, namely that he is a busy and successful actor; his closest relationship is with his manager, Ron (Adam Sandler); and he is estranged from his daughters.

Although not all of this was demonstrated through the early scenes of Jay interacting with his youngest, Daisy (Grace Edwards), the dialogue frequently hammers home this point. There’s little nuance to Jay’s story, since everyone from his publicist (Laura Dern) to his eldest (Riley Keough) will discuss the details directly. When the actor impulsively flies to Europe in a desperate attempt to connect with Daisy, he takes his entire entourage and has an assistant follow him. Their presence alone clearly shows his disconnected sensibility, but the film itself also comments on it through the characters.

But beyond that, Jay KellyThe celebrity version plays like a stereotype. The arc of an actor seeking fame and success among his friends and family isn’t exactly groundbreaking, and the film doesn’t do much to advance it. This is not to say that there is no emotional weight; in fact, the end of Jay Kelly is quite moving, and Clooney really sells his character’s regrets and hurts. However, aside Sentimental valueBaumbach’s film feels like one viewers have seen before.

Jay’s arc could apply to multiple characters, while Jay’s characters Sentimental value feel exclusive to their specific situation. Nora (Renate Reinsvé), Gustave (Stellan Skarsgard), and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) are rooted in their history and environment, which cannot be reproduced in a different font. The way fame impacted their relationships is unique to them, not some broad archetype supported by other familiar plot points.

‘Sentimental value’ sinks deep into the present as ‘Jay Kelly’ gets lost in the past

Sentimental valueThe drama begins when Gustav, who has long put his career before his family, asks Nora to star in his latest film, a deeply personal project that he wants to shoot in their family home. For Nora, an actress who gives her all to her theatrical performances but also suffers from crippling stage fright, this is an offensive request, given that Gustav has spent so little time caring about the art she creates. She also got to see first-hand what it’s like to work with him, as Agnès starred in one of his films when she was a child; one of Sentimental valueThe most heartbreaking moment is when Agnes tearfully lashes out at Gustav for this time she loved so much, even though it ultimately broke her heart when he largely ignored her afterward.

The true strength of Sentimental valueThe story of – the reason it’s so moving – is because it focuses on specific family dynamicsand the impact of fame is superimposed on it as additional texture. Gustav and Nora’s relationship is strained due to the former’s dedication to his work, but underneath, they are remarkably similar people. They discuss their plans in the same way, they laugh at the same jokes, and they both carry deep wounds within them. As they navigate the minefield that is their job, they are forced to take it into account.

This is also where Sentimental value takes over Jay Kelly. Although it is interspersed with glimpses of the past, going as far back as Gustav’s mother, Sentimental value largely plays out in the present. The characters are stuck in the process and recognize how the past has hurt them, and the ending leaves them a hopeful path forward. Vice versa, Jay Kelly sends its protagonist back through his own memories, watching him look back at key moments in his life. For a nostalgic character study, it works, but it also leaves the supporting characters in Jay’s life feeling fragile as personalities who shaped it. It’s not as introspective as it seems.

Both Sentimental value And Jay Kelly my real heart is what kind of toll being a celebrity takes on a person, but the former makes a stronger impression. Considering the present and the long-standing relationships between the characters, Sentimental value seems urgent and uniquewhile Jay Kelly‘s more authoritative approach is too familiar to stand out. It can’t quite match the commanding presence of its own main character.

Sentimental value is now playing in theaters across the United States

Release date

November 7, 2025

Runtime

132 minutes

Director

Joachim Trier

Writers

Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier

Producers

Nathanaël Karmitz, Maria Ekerhovd, Elisha Karmitz, Andrea Berentsen Ottmar

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  Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas

  Agnes