A strange movie about a strange (genius?) man.

Rating: 6/10 (24 January 2000)

I came into the picture never having seen Andy Kaufman in anything, not on Saturday Nite Live, not on Taxi, not anywhere. Somehow (I must have been severely distracted at the time) he was off my radar screen. Some friends told me they loved him and waited for all of his appearances -- he was different, a genius, etc., and I was looking forward to the picture. I must admit I came out confused - a strange movie about a strange and apparently dysfunctional human being who may or may not have been a genius, depending on how loosely one uses that word.
I don't remember seeing a movie with so many audience reaction shots. The purpose seemed to be to let you, the audience, know that it it was appropriate to be confused, or embarrassed. Andy's concept (and he stated during the film that he was NOT a comedian) seemed to be fully confrontational and to act unexpectedly at all times (say, like a 4 year old). Some of it was certainly funny, but most of it was simply embarrassing. (This may have been completely intentional on Kaufman's part.) I know that this point of view puts me into the category of old fogy, but so it goes. When you can't say you're sick to someone and be taken seriously, maybe you have gone too far.
Yes, I will make amends and try to get Andy Kaufman reruns. Or go to the Museum of Television and Radio and seek him out.
Of course it is a movie, and the acting was all excellent. But I still went out shaking my head...