Spoiler alert! The following post discusses the finale of the dramedy "Jay Kelly" (streaming now on Netflix) so beware if you haven't seen it yet.
Call it a Cloon-ception.
Director Noah Baumbach's new movie"Jay Kelly"starsGeorge Clooneyas A-list movie star Jay Kelly, who goes on a long journey of self-reflection that ends at an Italian film festival where he's getting a lifetime achievement award. The end scene finds Jay crying while watching a tribute to his career, and it's a sizzle reel of previous Clooney roles, from older stuff like "Combat Academy" and "Sunset Beat" to greatest hits such as "ER" and "Syriana."
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So how was it being George playing Jay watching George on screen? Clooney answers by adding another meta layer.
"Imagine this, we took it to the Venice Film Festival. So we're at an Italian film festival watching myself watch myself at an Italian film festival," Clooney says with a grin. "I didn't know he was going to use clips from my real films and I didn't know that was what was coming up. So the take in the movie is the first take when I'm watching."
Baumbach pushes back on that account a smidge. "I mean, it was always in the script. I think he probably just lived in some form of denial," the filmmaker says, laughing. "But what I was very clear about was I put together the montage sort of on the side while we were shooting and knew that I would not show it to him and that we were going to show it live in the room."
On screen, it's emotional for Jay watching the reel after gaining new perspective on his life and career. (After it rolls, he looks at the camera in closeup and says, "Can I go again? I'd like another one." It's a callback to the beginning of the film, where Jay wants another take on the final scene of a movie he's filming.)
Off screen, it'll be emotional for longtime fans of Clooney to see the actor's evolution and revisit favorite characters. And it was also emotional for Clooney himself in the moment. (The tears were real.)
"When you're 64 years old, everything's emotional," Clooney quips. "When I see a movie, I remember the time I spent with the director or the actors. I don't really see the movie as a movie. I see it as pieces of time."
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"Jay Kelly" (now in theaters, Dec. 5 on Netflix): A-list movie star Jay (George Clooney, far left) embarks on a reflective trip with his feisty publicist (Laura Dern) and loyal manager (Adam Sandler) in the meta dramedy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Now You See Me: Now You Don't" (now in theaters): Justice Smith (far left), Ariana Greenblatt and Dominic Sessa play a trio of skilled illusionists recruited by Jack Wilder (Dave Franco) for a diamond heist in the magic-filled action threequel." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Running Man" (now in theaters): In Edgar Wright's new take on Stephen King's dystopian thriller, a desperate father (Glen Powell) volunteers for the deadliest game show on TV where he'll win a billion dollars or die in the process." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Champagne Problems" (Nov. 19 on Netflix): Minka Kelly stars as an executive who ventures to France to acquire a popular champagne brand before Christmas and falls for the founder's son (Tom Wozniczka) in the holiday rom-com." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Family Plan 2" (Nov. 21 on Apple TV): Ex-assassin Dan (Mark Wahlberg) and wife Jessica (Michelle Monaghan) have a planned European family vacation go awry when Dan's old enemy shows up in the action-comedy sequel." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Rental Family" (Nov. 21 in theaters): An American actor (Brendan Fraser, left) works for a company that hires him out to play roles in people's lives including as a journalist interviewing a Japanese film legend (Akira Emoto)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Sisu: Road to Revenge" (Nov. 21 in theaters): Jorma Tommila reprises his role as a hard-to-kill ex-soldier who returns home and is pursued by the man who murdered his family in the action thriller sequel." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Train Dreams" (Nov. 21 on Netflix): The period drama stars Joel Edgerton as a reserved lumberjack who helps to build the American railroad and meets a colorful cast of co-workers, but his job keeps him from his wife and young daughter." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Wicked: For Good" (Nov. 21 in theaters): The closer of Jon M. Chu's two-part movie musical features Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as fugitive witch Elphaba and her torn bestie Glinda, who must work together to save Oz." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Eternity" (Nov. 26 in theaters): In the fantasy romantic comedy, Larry (Miles Teller) arrives in the afterlife and waits for his wife Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) to decide where to spend eternity, but someone else has been pining for her, too." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Hamnet" (Nov. 26 in theaters): Director Chloé Zhao's family drama centers on William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) and his wife Agnes (Jessie Buckley), who navigate domestic issues and a gut-wrenching tragedy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Jingle Bell Heist" (Nov. 26 on Netflix): To get a fresh start in their lives, a retail worker (Olivia Holt) and repairman (Connor Swindells) plan on robbing the upscale London department store where they work in the holiday rom-com." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery" (Nov. 26 in theaters, Dec. 12 on Netflix): Ace detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, left) helps young priest Father Jud (Josh O'Connor) when he's accused of murder in Rian Johnson's third all-star mystery." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Zootopia 2" (Nov. 26 in theaters): The Disney animated sequel catches up with Judy Hopps (voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin, left) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), who are now partners in the police force investigating a mysterious snake." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Left-Handed Girl" (Nov. 28 on Netflix): Nina Ye (left) and Shih-Yuan Ma (in mirror) play sisters who return to Taipei with their mom after several years of living in the countryside and struggle adapting to a new environment in the drama." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Stringer: The Man Who Took the Photo" (Nov. 28 on Netflix): The documentary investigates if Nguyễn Thành Nghệ (right, with daughter Jannie Nguyễn), a freelance photographer during the Vietnam War, took the famous "Napalm Girl" photo and not the long-credited Associated Press photographer." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Troll 2" (Dec. 1 on Netflix): In the monster movie sequel, returning heroes are forced to deal with a gigantic creature nicknamed "Megatroll" when it's awakened and goes on a destructive rampage across Norway." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"My Secret Santa" (Dec. 3 on Netflix): The holiday rom-com stars Alexandra Breckenridge as a single mom in need of a job who disguises herself as a man to nab a seasonal Santa gig at a luxury ski resort and falls for the hotel manager." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Oh. What. Fun." (Dec. 3 on Prime Video): In the holiday comedy, a Texas mom (Michelle Pfeiffer) who lives for Christmas is accidentally left behind – "Home Alone" style – for an important event by her family." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw" (Dec. 5 on Disney+): Greg (voiced by Aaron D. Harris, left) and his dad Frank (Chris Diamantopoulos) bond while attending a wilderness camp in the latest animated comedy based on Jeff Kinney's popular books." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Family McMullen" (Dec. 5 on HBO Max): Ed Burns (above center) returns to write, direct and star in a sequel to the 1995 indie cult classic, which brings a family back to its Long Island home for reunions and romance." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Five Nights at Freddy's 2" (Dec. 5 in theaters): Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) and Mike (Josh Hutcherson) again have to deal with the murderous animatronic animals of Freddy Fazbear's Pizza in the horror sequel." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Merv" (Dec. 10 in theaters): When beloved dog Merv begins to show signs of depression after their recent breakup, Anna (Zooey Deschanel) and her ex take him to a pet-friendly beach resort in Florida in the holiday comedy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Ella McCay" (Dec. 12 in theaters): Ella (Emma Mackey, right), who's named governor of her home state when her mentor steps down, gets advice from her Aunt Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) in the James L. Brooks political dramedy." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Goodbye June" (Dec. 12 in theaters, Dec. 24 on Netflix): Kate Winslet marks her directorial debut and also stars in this emotional Christmas drama about siblings reuniting for one last holiday season with their dying mother." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show" (Dec. 12 on Disney+): A companion to a new six-part docuseries, the concert film captures the last show of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour in Vancouver." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Avatar: Fire and Ash" (Dec. 19 in theaters): New antagonist Varang (Oona Chaplin) is the fierce leader of the Ash People in James Cameron's sci-fi adventure, which catches up with Jake Sully and his family on Pandora." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Housemaid" (Dec. 19 in theaters): Based on the Freida McFadden novel, the psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney (left) as the new live-in housemaid for a wealthy wife (Amanda Seyfried) – a dream gig that turns into a nightmare." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Is This Thing On?" (Dec. 19 in theaters): The dramedy stars Will Arnett (center, with Bradley Cooper and Andra Day) as a middle-aged dad who finds a new and therapeutic hobby when he signs up for an open mic comedy night. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants" (Dec. 19 in theaters): The animated comedy adventure finds SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny, left) on a quest where he runs afoul of the villainous Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill)." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Plague" (Dec. 24 in theaters): Joel Edgerton (center) stars in the coming-of-age psychological thriller as a coach at a water polo summer camp where the youngsters bully and turn on each other, leading to a violent outburst." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Anaconda" (Dec. 25 in theaters): The action comedy stars Jack Black (center) and Paul Rudd as best friends who venture to the jungle in a mission to find a gigantic snake for a remake of their favorite movie." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Marty Supreme" (Dec. 25 in theaters): In the 1950s-set sports dramedy, Timothy Chalamet (right, with director Josh Safdie) stars as a shoe-selling ping-pong ace who dreams of becoming a world champion." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"No Other Choice" (Dec. 25 in theaters): Park Chan-wook's darkly comedic thriller stars Lee Byung-hun as a guy in the cutthroat paper industry who attempts to take out his competition for a new job." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"Song Sung Blue" (Dec. 25 in theaters): Based on a true story, the musical drama follows a Vietnam vet (Hugh Jackman) who meets another struggling divorced musician (Kate Hudson) and they form a popular Neil Diamond tribute band." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
"The Testament of Ann Lee" (Dec. 25 in theaters): The historical musical drama stars Amanda Seyfried (center) as Ann Lee, who found followers and critics alike as the leader of the Shakers religious movement in the 18th century." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> From 'Zootopia 2' to 'Knives Out 3,' exclusive peeks at the holiday season's top movies
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Baumbach was grateful to Clooney that "he allowed himself to be that vulnerable and to watch this thing for the first time on camera, because he's having a real reaction watching his actual life go in front of him. That's got to have an emotional effect onGeorge Clooney," the director says. "At the same time, he knows he has to tell the story of the movie, and he is still playing the character."
Clooney's costar Billy Crudup was in the crowd of the film festival scene as well and thought it was an "extremely clever" idea with many cool frames of reference.
Crudup also quotes an earlier line from the movie where a fan tells Jay, "When I look at you, I see my whole life" while on the train to Italy. "For people who go to movies, enjoy movies and have actors that they follow and have been there at different points in their life, it really is moving to see a reel like that," Crudup says.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:George Clooney explains his real tears in 'Jay Kelly' movie finale
