“Universal didn’t want the footage we took behind the scenes to surface so that people wouldn’t think I’m an asshole.”
It’s probably not the most memorable movie in Jim Carrey’s significant back catalogue, but one of his most memorable performances was in the role of Andy Kaufman in the 1999 film, Man on the Moon.
Carrey won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the complicated comedian and a new Netflix documentary sheds light on the lengths Carrey went to in order to prepare for a role based on an idol of his.
18 years after the release of Man on the Moon, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond (Full title: Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – With a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton) shows passages taken from 100 hours of behind-the-scenes footage shot on the set of the movie which highlights Carrey’s extreme method acting over the course of a four-month period.
Directed by Chris Smith, the documentary features snippets from Carrey’s co-stars on the movie, such as Danny DeVito and Paul Giamatti, and director Milos Foreman, who can be seen in the trailer pleading with Carrey to co-operate with him on set, with Carrey fully immersed in the role of Kaufman while he’s doing so.
Available on Netflix since last Friday, November 17, it’s been described as “compelling” by the New Yorker and “amazing” by Vulture and although it’s early days, it already has an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Might be worth sticking it on your watch list.
