Universal Pictures, Rated R
Directed by Milos Forman
Written by Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski
I am an unabashed fan of Andy Kaufman. Many people are not, apparently, judging from the box office returns of this, Jim Carrey's second best and worst-grossing film. Kaufman challenged the notion of comedy and performing while at the same time upholding its roots. This retelling of Kaufman's life (second of course to the two in-depth biographies in stores now) doesn't get everything right or in order but Kaufman (Carrey) himself points that out at the beginning of the film, one of the most comedically inspired since Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It's not quite as inventive as this later in the film, yet Kaufman's story is so enthralling and Carrey's (snubbed TWO years in a row by Oscar after winning Golden Globes) utter possession by Kaufman is astonishing. A lot of this you know if you ever watched Comedy Central. The movie is worth seeing for its analysis of why Kaufman did what he did. Explanations for every single one of his most famous routines or stunts can be found here, yet at the same time keeping a distance from Kaufman, as it should be. Some have criticized this distance, but even Bob Zmuda (splendidly portrayed by Paul Giamatti), his best friend couldn't account for a lot of Kaufman's behavior but did point out that his entire life was, seemingly, a performance. Both Carrey and Giamatti shine as Tony Clifton, Kaufman's most ingenius creation and the makeup here (for Kaufman and Clifton) was also snubbed for an Oscar in my opinion. Some of what is revealed in the film has never been told to the public before. Glimpses of "the real Andy Kaufman" are subtly placed throughout the film and the film does indeed have a theory as to what went through his head. But with a man like Kaufman, a theory is the best you're going to do. The last act of the film, with Kaufman dying of cancer, makes up for any flaws in the first 90 minutes or so. Carrey is heartbreaking as the man who cried wolf one too many times and the screenplay doesn't miss any opportunity to point out the irony as well as show how Kaufman's sense of humor was still intact, even to the end.
Forman's direction is understated but effective. Danny DeVito gives a very nice performance as George Shapiro, Kaufman's manager and Courtney Love is passable as Lynne Margulies, his girlfriend towards the end of his life. Of course, one must question if it really was the end, and the final shot of the film, for those who have been paying attention, is one you won't soon forget. ****Few who have seen Andy Kaufman perform can ever forget him either and for those of you who haven't, I encourage you to purchase the Andy Kaufman Special on video. It's very cheap and a piece of television history, a nice companion piece to the film. As I said before, I also recommend the books by Zmuda and Bill Zehme.
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