Watch Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - With a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton

Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - With a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton is a 2017 documentary that revolves around the remarkable performance of Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman in the 1999 biopic Man on the Moon. The movie is directed by Chris Smith and produced by Vice Studios, and it features interviews with Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Milos Forman, and other members of the Man on the Moon crew, as well as never-before-seen footage of the movie's production.

The documentary delves deep into the mind and process of Jim Carrey as he portrays the enigmatic and eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman, who gained notoriety in the 1970s for his boundary-pushing and often controversial performances. Carrey famously embraced the role of Kaufman to such a degree that he refused to break character even when the cameras were not rolling, often interacting with the crew and his co-stars as if he were Kaufman himself. This led to some memorable and sometimes bizarre moments on the set of Man on the Moon, which are captured in the documentary's behind-the-scenes footage.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Jim & Andy is the contrast between Carrey's intense dedication to the role of Kaufman and the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the comedian's life and work. As Carrey explains in the documentary, his portrayal of Kaufman was not simply an imitation or impression, but a genuine attempt to embody the spirit and philosophy of a performer who defied conventional expectations and definitions of comedy. This approach led to some creative conflicts with Milos Forman, the director of Man on the Moon, who was initially wary of Carrey's unconventional methods.

However, as the documentary shows, Carrey's commitment to the role was ultimately vindicated by his performance, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest of his career. In addition to the scenes from Man on the Moon, Jim & Andy also includes interviews with Carrey, DeVito, Forman, and others reflecting on the legacy of Kaufman and the impact that his work had on their lives and careers.

The title of the documentary, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - With a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton, refers to one of Kaufman's most memorable alter egos, a sleazy lounge singer named Tony Clifton. Carrey also assumed the role of Clifton during the making of Man on the Moon, and the documentary includes footage of his interactions with the cast and crew in character. The documentary also explores the complex relationship that Kaufman had with Clifton, who was often seen as a manifestation of his darker and more confrontational impulses.

Overall, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - With a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton is a fascinating and insightful account of Jim Carrey's immersive and transformative performance as Andy Kaufman, and the legacy of the enigmatic comedian who continues to inspire and confound audiences today. The documentary is not only a tribute to the spirit of Kaufman, but also a testament to the power of art and performance to challenge and transcend our own limitations and expectations.

Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond - With a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 77.