ANDY KAUFMAN IS ME Documentary

“There’s no way to describe what I do. It’s just me.” With those words, the titular comedian defied easy categorization, and this new documentary takes up the challenge by way of a deep dive into Kaufman’s comedy, life and legacy. Exploring his early years, the film includes intimate interviews with Kaufman’s family and pre-fame contemporaries, revisiting the indelible characters he created — from the “Uncle Andy” kids show of his youth to the infamous, provocative persona of “Tony Clifton” — and many more. Narrating much of his story is Andy himself, via recently unearthed audio diaries that illuminate his innermost thoughts and artistic process. Director Clay Tweel crafts a multifaceted portrait of a man who turned comedy into performance art and who remains one of the most ingenious entertainers of our time. –Mimi Brody