A Complicated Person And A Complicated Movie

Rating: 7/10 (14 May 2011)

The truth is that I should not have enjoyed this movie. First, I'm not really that interested in Andy Kaufman. To be honest I don't think I ever watched even a single episode of "Taxi." Second, I'm not a big fan of Jim Carrey. He has talent, but he usually overacts and goes way overboard rather than letting his talent shine through. Third, I honestly didn't think this movie was great, although based on the content and what it tells us about Andy Kaufman my reaction to it may have been what he would have wanted - I just found that after the first little while it became too much. My gut was telling me that this movie (and the guy portrayed in it) was plain irritating. So why did I keep watching? Because, for some inexplicable reason and in spite of all that, this movie worked somehow. Maybe it's because of how Andy was described by his girlfriend Lynne Margulies (played by Courtney Love) - he was "a complicated person." The complicated nature of Andy Kaufman creates interest, even if the movie itself isn't all that great. His life - portrayed here from his childhood to his death - was a complicated one. You wonder having seen it whether there really was an Andy Kaufman - by which I mean, did he actually have an identity of his own or was his identity completely caught up in and submerged by the characters he created and played? I found myself admiring his take on comedy - not going for the easy laughs but instead going for the gut reaction of the audience, whether that gut reaction was positive or negative; whether it caused laughter or anger. I can imagine that one would not walk away from one of his routines feeling neutral about him.
The other redeeming thing about the movie - my opening comments notwithstanding - is Jim Carrey. If ever there was a part that Jim Carrey was born to play I would have to say that it was Andy Kaufman. All of Carrey's excesses that usually bother me so much were on display here in abundance, but they seemed to be a perfect fit with what we were being told about Andy Kaufman. I've seen a fair number of Jim Carrey's movies over the years but now that I've seen this one I'd have to say that this is his signature part - in my mind anyway. It was a stunning piece of casting.
It's strange to say this about a movie that I can't say I liked all that much - but in spite of not really "liking" it I enjoyed it. I think Andy Kaufman might understand that reaction. Both he and the movie were "complicated." (7/10)