Home / Arts and Entertainment / Acclaimed Actor Grapples with Existential Crisis in Bittersweet Hollywood Drama
Acclaimed Actor Grapples with Existential Crisis in Bittersweet Hollywood Drama
13 Nov
Summary
- A-list actor Jay Kelly reflects on his life and career in a meta-portrait
- Struggling with emptiness despite fame and success
- Estranged relationship with daughter Jessica a key source of regret
In a poignant exploration of fame and regret, the upcoming Netflix film "The Running Man" follows acclaimed actor Jay Kelly as he navigates a personal and professional reckoning. As Kelly, played by George Clooney, prepares to attend a film festival tribute in his honor, he is forced to confront the emptiness he feels despite his success.
Kelly's existential crisis is fueled by a series of events, including the death of his mentor, a filmmaker who gave him his big break, and the impending departure of his college-age daughter Daisy for a summer in Europe. Tensions also arise with his estranged eldest daughter, Jessica, who challenges Kelly's self-centered behavior.
Determined to turn the film festival tribute into a family trip, Kelly drags his manager, publicist, and entourage to Europe, only to find that his daughter may have other plans. As the tribute unfolds, Kelly watches his life play out on the screen, leading him to question the choices that have left him feeling unfulfilled.
Directed by Noah Baumbach and co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer, "The Running Man" offers a bittersweet and insightful exploration of the price of fame, the complexities of family, and the search for meaning in a life that has been defined by the movies.
