Jim Carrey's self analysis is devastatingly touching.
Madness or genius? After seeing this doc, and Carrey's method approach into getting under Kaufman's skin, you might well wonder. The truth is more complicated than that of course, but when talking about both Carrey and Kaufman, the same truth applies to both men. They are/were both tremendously talented, and they are/were both capable of pushing their art and their behaviour to the limits. The doc is mesmerising, and serves as an offbeat tribute to both men. It also reminded me that I do need to rewatch 'Man on the Moon' again sometime soon!
1 / 2 directing & technical aspect
2 / 2 story
1 / 1 act I
1 / 1 act II
1 / 1 act III
1 / 1 acting
0 / 1 originality
1 / 1 lasting ability to make you think
.5 / 1 misc
8.5 out of 10
Theme- 9.5/10
Rewatchibility- 2/10
Acting- 9/10
Kinematography 7/10
Time- 7.5/10
Total - 35/5 = 7
I watched this doc without ever seeing Man on the Moon. But I did go into this knowing the careers of both Jim Carrey and Andy Kaufman. Seeing the behind the scenes of a movie with a method actor in progress shows the true ups and downs of said approach. On one hand, making many of the cast & crew go through hell the entire shoot for the sake of staying in character seems entirely unnecessary. Yet, by the same token, could anybody pull off Kaufman without staying Kaufman from start to finish. Maybe, that answer is somewhere in the middle, Andy wasn't always plugged into bizarre at 11 and seeing Jim be that way all the time makes one wonder. Nevertheless, a lovely insight into the minds of two unique people, tethered together from two planes of existence by a single movie.
It's sad and a bit amazing that Carrey can't find work anymore. His analysis of himself and how he got lost in the character is extremely interesting. I have to admit that part of me wonders if - in the spirit of Kaufman - we've been had again. If that is the case, great.
https://ihatebadmovies.com/movies/jim-andy-the-great-beyond-featuring-a-very-special-contractually-obligated-mention-of-tony-clifton/
Review by Matthew Luke BradyBlockedParent2020-03-14T19:38:53Z
One of the most irritating documentaries I’ve watched in awhile.
I love Jim Carry, but man does he come across as a pretentious and narcissistic douche bag in this documentary and the behind the scene clips of ‘Man on the Moon’. So up his own ass while trying to act deep and insightful…mostly about himself.
On the set of ‘Man on the Moon’, the looks on Danny Devito and Paul Giamatti faces during Jim's chaotic method acting were my personal highlights. Devito looks bewildered, and Giamatti looks like he’s questioning if acting was a mistake.
For those saying that Jim is doing what Andy did by getting a rise out of people in style of a performance art, well here’s the thing, I don’t think he understands Andy that well. He doesn't even play Andy Kaufman like Andy. He plays Andy like Jim Carrey. At least Kaufman knew how to be subtle and would never have been that rude to people, because a lot of co-stars and friends came on record to say that whenever Andy wasn’t in character, he was the most caring and gentle person out there. Jim seems to be more interested in the wild side of Kaufman and left out everything else.
So yeah, Jim’s “incarnation” was poorly portrayed.
Probably the most creepiest and tasteless part of the documentary is when he spoke with Andy's actual kid - and made it out like, 'this was the first time they had a real conversation with their father'. What’s even weirder is Andy’s parents also treated him like Andy, especially with the cancer treatment bit. So gross.
There’s even a part when Jim slips up when talking about a particularly scene they shoot where he says, “He got me upside- …..he got Andy upside down.” Basically saying “No wait, I am ANDY!!”.
Overall rating: It’s not a terrible documentary by any means as there were some entertaining parts, mostly from the crews reaction to Jim’s crazy antics. However, I will never watch this again. Just thinking about it makes me more and more angry.