By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Alex Braverman
Year: 2025
Running time: 99
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28634368
Diane says: “‘Is this for real?’ That’s the most common response to any of Andy Kaufman’s acts. And that’s one of the questions that the doc THANK YOU VERY MUCH wants to answer. The other is, who was Andy Kaufman underneath his act?
“I knew Kaufman from SNL–glad I missed the wrestling phase of his career. (I don’t even remember it from MAN IN THE MOON, Jim Carey’s biopic.) Director Alex Braverman includes footage of Andy on all stages, plus interviews with girlfriends, his parents and best friend, and an old roommate who gave him his early persona. Braverman ties Andy’s strangeness to an early trauma, which may be reaching a little too far.
“Even as the movie tries to get at its subject objectively, you can’t help but be agape at some of the stunts Andy pulls off. Was that for real? My favorite parts of this doc were the interviews with other respected comedians, who seem to be in awe of his genius.
“In case you don’t know, Kaufman died of cancer in 1984, but that may just be part of his act… 4 cats if you like Kaufman, 3 if not.“
Chris responds: “I recently watched this as well. Probes far deeper into this enigmatic artist than what I remember about MAN ON THE MOON for sure. If it’s more sentimental than Kaufman theoretically would’ve ever allowed himself to be, it does have the receipts (via archival footage) to back that up while also not shying away from his more provocative and questionable pursuits. Considerably multilayered for documentary portraits of this kind. 4 cats“
Thank You Very Much