Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond
Chris Smith’s probing documentary revisits Jim Carrey’s extreme transformation into Andy Kaufman and the unsettling creative consequences of staying in character.
Overview
A fascinating glimpse into the mind of a comedic genius as he blurs the lines between reality and performance.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- witty
- candid
- entertaining
- film night
- documentary night
What critics said
Critics broadly found the documentary highly watchable and entertaining while noting that its inquiry into fame, art, performance, and madness is not fully unified.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Jim Carrey’s sustained adoption of Andy Kaufman’s persona during the making of Man on the Moon is the film’s central subject.
Behind-the-scenes footage from the 1999 film is intercut with contemporary testimony from Carrey and collaborators.
The film considers the consequences of Carrey remaining in character as Kaufman beyond conventional set performance.
Its inquiry connects Kaufman’s public persona, Carrey’s transformation, artistic ambition, and the spectacle of celebrity.
Films like Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, and why
My Best Fiend
Shares a documentary focus on filmmaking, performance, celebrity identity, and the boundary between actor and role.
Burden of Dreams
Comparable nonfiction portrait of an intense, transformative acting process and the psychological costs of performance.
The King of Comedy
Explores artistic obsession, eccentric comedy, and the unstable relationship between public persona and private self.
Movie Details
- Director
- Chris Smith
- Release Date
- 2017-09-05
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (753)
Cast
- Jim Carrey
- Danny DeVito
- Miloš Forman
- Judd Hirsch
- Peter Bonerz
- Randall Carver
- Andy Dick
- Paul Giamatti
- Hugh Hefner
- Elton John
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond about?
- Chris Smith’s probing documentary revisits Jim Carrey’s extreme transformation into Andy Kaufman and the unsettling creative consequences of staying in character.
- What is Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond.
- What did critics think of Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond?
- Critics broadly found the documentary highly watchable and entertaining while noting that its inquiry into fame, art, performance, and madness is not fully unified.
- Which films are like Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond?
- Films with a similar feel include My Best Fiend, Burden of Dreams, and The King of Comedy.
- How long is Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond?
- Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond?
- In United States, Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
