Parents' Guide to Jay Kelly

This charming-enough dramedy plays like a cinematic riff on the poignant song "Cat's in the Cradle," sending its Cary Grant-like leading man on a guilt trip that stretches from Paris to Pienza. Jay Kelly may be a world-famous movie star, but Jay Kelly's story taps into a common fear among working parents of all types: When your kids leave the nest, will you have done enough? Spent enough time with them? Jay has not. But he's also a global superstar, which makes his situation a smidge less relatable. (Though his exaggerated, glamorous circumstances do give viewers permission to laugh at his choices.) Much of the movie's comedy comes from the behind-the-scenes nonsense that those who work in the entertainment industry will know all too well, especially as Jay chases his daughter across Europe with his manager, publicist, hair and makeup artist, and others in tow. And his memories of special moments of his kids are balanced by those from his career—a career that he apparently felt needed more attention and nurturing than his progeny.

While Jay's relationship with his kids—or lack thereof—is the movie's A story, the B plot is the one that really hits the heart (again, particularly if you work in the industry). Jay's manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), is always there for him, putting Jay first and making sure that his narcissistic client is succeeding—because then they're succeeding together. But are they friends, or just colleagues working on a project called "Jay Kelly" in which success is mutually beneficial? The lines between friendship and partnership are blurred, and what's their obligation to one another? Given the movie's themes and storyline, teens may not be too interested (though, if they are, there's not much iffy content), but there's not a lot here for them, either. This is ultimately a movie for parents and cinephiles.