🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Chris Smith
- Genre: Documentary, Biography, Comedy
- Release year: 2017
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10 (28K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Jim Carrey goes full method, convinces himself he’s Andy Kaufman, and annoys everyone on set for months, resulting in either a brilliant performance or a complete train wreck.
🍿 Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Becoming Andy Kaufman
The documentary follows Jim Carrey’s intense method acting process while portraying Andy Kaufman in the film ‘Man on the Moon’. Carrey fully immerses himself in the role, both on and off camera, adopting Kaufman’s mannerisms, beliefs, and even his alter egos, including the obnoxious Tony Clifton. This section showcases the extent of Carrey’s dedication and the challenges it presented to the cast and crew.

The Toll of Method Acting
The film explores the mental and emotional toll that such extreme method acting had on Carrey. Archival footage reveals moments of tension and conflict on set, as Carrey’s commitment to the role blurs the lines between reality and performance. This section examines the ethics and potential consequences of method acting, particularly its impact on those around the actor. The footage was withheld for nearly 20 years because Universal felt it would paint Carrey in a bad light.

Jim Carrey’s Reflections
Interspersed throughout the archival footage are present-day interviews with Jim Carrey, reflecting on his experiences and the profound impact that playing Andy Kaufman had on his life and career. These segments offer insights into Carrey’s philosophical views, his struggles with identity, and his evolving understanding of the nature of performance and reality.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jim Carrey (Jim Carrey): A comedian and actor who intensely embodies Andy Kaufman while filming ‘Man on the Moon,’ blurring the lines between reality and performance.
- Andy Kaufman (Self (archive footage)): An idiosyncratic and boundary-pushing comedian whose life and work become the subject of Carrey’s deep immersion.
- Danny DeVito (Danny DeVito): The actor who appears as himself, reacting to Carrey’s extreme method acting on set.
- Milos Forman (Milos Forman): The director of ‘Man on the Moon’ who grapples with Carrey’s method acting and its impact on the film.
- Tony Clifton (Jim Carrey): Andy Kaufman’s abrasive alter ego, embodied by Jim Carrey, creating on-set chaos and discomfort.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Jim Carrey: “I learned that you can fail at what you don’t love, so you might as well do what you love.” – Carrey reflects on the importance of pursuing passions, a sentiment that resonates with Andy Kaufman’s unconventional approach to comedy.
- Jim Carrey: “As an actor, you’re a priest. You’re helping people to release something, whether it’s laughter, whether it’s grief.” – Carrey expresses his view on acting as a cathartic and spiritual experience for both the performer and the audience.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this thinking it’d be a fun behind-the-scenes thing, but wow, it was way more than that. Jim Carrey’s dedication to becoming Andy Kaufman is insane, and honestly, kind of scary. Seeing him as Tony Clifton? Unbelievable. It made me question everything about performance and identity, and honestly, it’s stuck with me for days. I’m still not sure if it was genius or just plain crazy, but I loved it. That scene with Danny DeVito just sums it all up.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Jim Carrey”
- “People interested in method acting”
- “Fans of Andy Kaufman’s comedy”
- “Those who enjoy documentaries about filmmaking”
- “Viewers interested in philosophical explorations of identity and reality”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Discussion of mental health issues”
- “Potentially offensive behavior (due to the nature of Andy Kaufman and Tony Clifton’s comedy)”
- “Some scenes may be disturbing or uncomfortable”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “A fascinating, if somewhat self-indulgent, look at Carrey’s process. The unearthed footage is gold, providing insight into the dedication and occasional madness of method acting. It walks a fine line between genius and absurdity, leaving the viewer to decide.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “The documentary shines a light on Carrey’s commitment to the role and the impact it had on those around him. While it borders on hagiography, the film offers a compelling exploration of identity and the blurred lines between actor and character.
- Variety: “Chris Smith’s documentary excels in providing an intimate and sometimes uncomfortable look at Carrey’s transformation. It raises questions about the price of art and the responsibility of an actor to their fellow cast and crew.
Audience Reactions
Viewers were captivated by Jim Carrey’s total immersion into the role of Andy Kaufman and the challenges it presented.: Most people agree that the documentary offers a unique and thought-provoking perspective on method acting and the complexities of portraying a real person.
Overall Consensus: The documentary is a compelling, albeit occasionally unsettling, look at Jim Carrey’s intense method acting as Andy Kaufman, sparking debate about the boundaries of performance and the nature of identity.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Universal Studios initially kept the behind-the-scenes footage under wraps for nearly two decades, fearing it would negatively impact Jim Carrey’s image.”
- “The documentary explores the concept of method acting and how Jim Carrey’s immersion into the role of Andy Kaufman blurred the lines between reality and performance.”
- “The film features interviews with Jim Carrey reflecting on his experiences, along with unearthed footage from the ‘Man on the Moon’ set.”
🖥️ How to Watch Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton?
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton is a Netflix original documentary. As such, it is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix with a subscription. It is not available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton, you might like these similar films:
- Man on the Moon (1999): This is the film that ‘Jim & Andy’ documents, showing Carrey’s transformation into Andy Kaufman.
- I’m Still Here (2010): A mockumentary featuring Joaquin Phoenix’s method acting approach.
- Crumb (1994): An intimate documentary exploring the life and eccentricities of underground cartoonist Robert Crumb, similar to how ‘Jim & Andy’ delves into the complexities of Andy Kaufman.
🛒 Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton Related Products
- Man on the Moon [Blu-ray]: Own the film that started it all! See Jim Carrey’s award-winning portrayal of Andy Kaufman in this critically acclaimed biopic. A must-have for any fan of Carrey or Kaufman.
- Andy Kaufman: The Collected Uncensored Saturday Night Live: Experience Andy Kaufman’s groundbreaking comedy with this complete collection of his Saturday Night Live appearances, a rare glimpse into the mind of a comedic genius.
- Jim Carrey: Unnatural Act [DVD]: See Jim Carrey in his early stand-up days, showcasing the energetic and physical comedy that would make him a star.
- Funko Pop! Movies: Andy Kaufman: Collect and show your love with a Funko Pop! of Andy Kaufman in his iconic persona.
🎧 Soundtrack
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Here I Come to Save the Day (Theme from Mighty Mouse)” – performed by The Golden Records Orchestra
- “Man on the Moon” – performed by R.E.M.
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While Andy Kaufman is a central figure, ‘Jim & Andy’ primarily focuses on Jim Carrey’s experience portraying Kaufman in ‘Man on the Moon’ and the impact it had on him. It explores Carrey’s method acting process and the philosophical implications of inhabiting another person’s identity.
‘Jim & Andy’ is a Netflix original documentary and is exclusively available on the Netflix streaming platform.
Method acting is an acting technique where the actor deeply immerses themselves in the role, often staying in character both on and off screen. In ‘Jim & Andy,’ Carrey exemplifies this by fully embodying Andy Kaufman and Tony Clifton, even when not filming, which affected his interactions with the cast and crew.
🔥 Bonus Content
JIM & ANDY: THE GREAT BEYOND (Netflix, 2017) – Crítica
Ever wondered what went on behind the scenes of ‘Man on the Moon’? This review dives deep into Jim Carrey’s transformative method acting and the craziness it unleashed. It’s a fascinating look at the blurred lines between performance and reality!
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