When Jay Kelly ( George Clooney ), the titular star of Noah Baumbach ’s latest film, tries to pump himself up, he puts his name amongst the illustrious actors who have come before him. “ Gary Cooper . Cary Grant . Jay Kelly. Clark Gable . Robert De Niro . Jay Kelly.” You could easily replace the name “Jay Kelly” with “George Clooney,” and this bit would still make perfect sense.

Kelly's comparing himself to some of the greatest actors to grace the screen emphasizes how much Baumbach’s film often feels like it's paying homage to the great movies-about-movies that have come before it. Its Robert Altman -esque opening is reminiscent of The Player , with its overlapping dialogue; Jay Kelly’s attempt to reconnect with the people who watch his movies is akin to

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