Publications
Partners
Show: Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton
Rating: 5/5
Available on: Netflix
What we thought:
In 1999 Jim Carrey starred in the biographical drama Man on the Moon based on the life of the late Andy Kaufman. Jim’s portrayal won him a Golden Globe award for best actor.
Andy was an eccentric comedian known for his physical comedy and sometimes absolutely bizarre TV appearances.
In Netflix’s documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond director Chris Smith combed through more than 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage shot on the set of Man on the Moon. Andy's former girlfriend, Lynne Margulies and former writing partner, Bob Zmuda, filmed Jim’s transformation into Andy.
The footage has never been released until now as Universal Pictures feared it would harm not only the film but Jim’s public persona as well. Now 18 years later it’s clear why the footage was kept under wraps.
It eerily captured Jim’s metamorphosis into Andy as well as one of Andy’s most well-known characters, Tony Clifton.
For four months Jim Carrey completely disappeared and became Andy. He did such a convincing job at portraying the late comedian that even Andy’s family, who visited the set, felt like he was standing right in front of them. This makes for some bone-chilling moments in the doccie.
Jim submerged himself so deep in the role that his fellow cast members were recorded saying; “Jim hasn’t been on set at all” – referring to his complete embodiment of the role.
The Hollywood star even ended up in hospital after he refused to snap out of character. So deep was his journey into the world of Andy Kaufman that Jim was left exhausted, confused and lost when he had to return to reality after filming had wrapped.
According to Jim he opened a door to a different universe and had stepped inside an unfamiliar realm. The experience enlightened the 55-year-old actor and changed his life forever. He would never be the same again.
This doccie is a mind-blowing look into a sometimes dark world of comedy and offers a unique perspective on the creative process behind the art of filmmaking.
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton is a Netflix original documentary and VICE Documentary Films production, produced by Academy Award-winner Spike Jonze, and VICE Films’ Danny Gabai and Brendan FitzGerald.
Watch the trailer here:
