Happy Gilmore 2 is a mᴀssive hit for Netflix, but Adam Sandler‘s next film could earn him a significant career achievement. Sandler became a star in the 1990s during his time on Saturday Night Live and used his newfound fame to create many comedy classics, like The Waterboy, The Wedding Singer, and Billy Madison.
While he’s primarily known for his comedic talent, he’s an excellent dramatic actor and often underappreciated. He first proved he could handle more serious roles in 2002’s Punch-Drunk Love, holding his own alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman. After starring in the Paul Thomas Anderson flick, he also received acclaim for his performances in 2017’s The Meyerowitz Stories and 2022’s Hustle.
Sandler’s performance as Howard Ratner in 2019’s Uncut Gems was award-worthy, and many were surprised when he was left out of the Academy Awards. His next role is in Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly, and it looks like his best chance to earn his first Oscar nomination since the Academy snubbed him.
Jay Kelly Could Be Adam Sandler’s Best Chance At An Oscar Nomination
Jay Kelly stars George Clooney in the тιтle role as a famous actor who embarks on a journey through Europe with his manager, Ron (Sandler). Through their European travels, the pair reflect on their legacies, relationships, and decisions they’ve made in their lives. The ensemble cast also includes Laura Dern, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Louis Partridge, Jim Broadbent, Greta Gerwig, and Patrick Wilson.
The film is directed by Baumbach, who also co-wrote the script with Emily Mortimer. Baumbach specializes in drama-comedies, and the first trailer showcased the blend of the two genres that audiences can expect. It also includes a brief look at Sandler’s performance in his supporting role and the chemistry he has with Clooney.
The Happy Gilmore star previously worked with Baumbach on 2017’s Meyerowitz Stories and earned acclaim for his performance. While he didn’t get an Oscar nomination, he did receive a Critic’s Choice Award nomination. The writer/director knows how to properly utilize Sandler’s talent, and could play a large part in helping him earn his first Oscar nomination.
The closest Sandler came to an Academy Award nomination was for his role in Uncut Gems, directed by the Safdie brothers. His performance as Ratner was charming and unbelievably frustrating, as his constant need to gamble kept getting him into a deeper hole. He was electric in the film, but he apparently didn’t do enough to win over Academy voters.
Jay Kelly could generate Oscar buzz for Sandler, putting him in the conversation for the first time since 2019. The film is debuting during awards season, with a limited theatrical release on November 14 before hitting Netflix on December 4. The streamer has confidence the film could be an awards contender, meaning Sandler could finally earn his Oscar nomination.
