Well folks, It's looking like this film is going to be another triumph for Milos. I'm dying to see this film and feel it can't play Austin soon enough (though I bet you're thinking a similar (but akin to your own location) feeling) I'm pleased as can be on this one. It sounds like the film is basically wrapped up at this point probably needing the final tweakings... like score, sound mix, color timed, etc. But man.... I want to see this film. It's right there with Michael Mann's film, The Green Mile, Being John Malkovich, Joan of Arc, etc. Can't wait for the late fall/early winter/holiday season. BUT first we have to survive September. Ugh...
Harry,
THE DOMINO MAN had tears streaming down his ivories last night at a test screening in Santa Monica of MAN ON THE MOON. Most of you should know already that its the story of the iconically manic persona of Andy Kaufman. I've been eagerly awaiting the release of this film for months on end, for a number of reasons, but let me begin with the obvious ones:
Milos Forman is a god amongst men. Has this man ever made a bad film? mediocre film?Fairly good? No he is in the business of creating classics.His record remains intact with this tragic piece. Jim Carrey, what of him, how dare he try to veer from his comic persona the detractors moaned after the inevitable backlash of The Truman Show. Personally, I've loved him in all the comedies he's made, yes that's right even The Cable Guy(why do people hate this film?). I thought he was spot on in The Truman Show(and the Academy spot off for not nominating him). I have to say though, nothing prepared me for this, he IS Andy Kaufman, its eerie, it's haunting. He must have channeled Kauffman from above, because the mannerisms,voices,and uncomprimising charisma is there. Dare I say it, an Academy Award nomination at the very least(probably jousting it out with Tom Hanks for The Green Mile). Wait for the buzz to grow louder closer to its release in November, this is Carey's film, and he deserves all the accolade that he's sure to get.
The Third and less obvious reason, is my involvement in the film(okay so I was an extra, that's still involvement isn't it?).I was an extra in the wrestling scenes between Jerry the King Lawler and Kaufman, covered in 70's regalia I was quite a hit with Forman(he glanced in my direction a couple of times). See if you can spot me: I'm the domino wearing the Tony Manero suit 3rd row from the front. My mental notes went into hyperdrive watching Forman orchestrate the scene with an iron fist. People whispering their doubts into his ear and then scampering off like hound dogs when they'd received their instructions. Despite the prejudice that most people have against a domino making it as an acclaimed director in Hollywood, I drew inspiration from Forman's superlative approach.
The story starts out with a young Kaufman seemingly entertaining an imaginary audience. When his father catches him in the act, he suggests that he do his act in front of a live audience. We first see the grown up Andy at a small comedy club, playing a simple child like song, asking the crowd to join in. The crowd doesn't respond and they all slowly walk out. The club owner, frustrated by the lack of business generated by Andy's act lets him go. We cut to the Improv, where Andy is at it again with his child like antics, but this time he has the crowd curious. By the end of his Elvis Presley impression he has the crowd on their feet, an ovation. George Shapiro played justifiably low-key by Danny DeVito, approaches Andy after the show about representation. Shapiro's character from here on in acts as the voice of reason. The relationship between Andy and Shapiro is really the core of the film, and Carey and DeVito pull it off admirably, both of them accentuating the others traits. When Andy is offered a role in Taxis, he reluctantly accepts it as a stepping stone more than a career move. Among his requests after taking the role is the introduction of a supposedly great lounge singer called Tony Clifton. We later learn that this is Andy's alter ego. Carey playing Clifton is creepy. In fact I'D nominate Carey twice(once for Kaufman and once for Clifton, what? John Malkovich can't get nominated for playing himself?).
If I have one gripe about the film, it is the inclusion of Courtney Love as Kaufman's wife. The role is small, why not get a character actress to play the part. Instead we have Love who is just plain distracting. Don't get me wrong I thought she was great in ...vs Larry Flynt, but what we have here is a series of reaction shots of Miss Love.
Otherwise, the supporting cast are all great, particularly Paul Giamatti who plays Andy's partner Bob Zmuda. I loved his character, probably only the second person in the world who came close to understanding the enigmatic Kaufman, Shapiro being the first.
The wrestling scenes are hysterical, the infamous appearance of Kaufman and Lawler on David Letterman is as startling as it was real. The montages of Kaufman on Taxi are brief, but it was never really about that anyway. For my money the movie captures the blurred line of reality and illusion created by Kaufman. Tragic though it may be, when Kauffman admits to Shapiro, Zmuda and his wife that he has cancer, they think its another in a series of practical jokes. He truly was a victim of his own genius.
I doubt I'll see a better film this year(that been said "The Green Mile", "Being John Malkovich" and "The Fight Club" might well prove me wrong). This was a test screening, but why bother any more, the movie is a hit, don't touch it you lousy executive scumbags. Sorry for dragging you through my incoherent thoughts, but in case you still don't get it, I LOVE THIS MOVIE. Theres a phrase in the film where Kaufman says "no one knows the real me", to which his wife replies,"there isn't a real you". 'nuff said.
R.I.P Andy Kaufman or so we think.
THE DOMINO MAN
