Details
Movie Description
In a remarkable and touching performance, Jim Carrey tones down his usual idiosyncrasies to play late avant garde comedian Andy Kaufman in MAN ON THE MOON. In life, Kaufman was a complex, controversial, and, at times, insane performer, and Carrey captures this, as well as the subtle nuances of his more toned-down private life. Director Milos Forman stages faithful recreations of Kaufman's pranks, method-like immersion in characters, and even scenes from TAXI, the hit TV show that made him a star, but also follows the comedian through his tragic diagnosis with cancer and his loving relationship with his girlfriend Lynne Margulies (Courtney Love). Danny DeVito, Kaufman's real-life TAXI co-star, plays George Shapiro, the manager who discovers him and is willing to put up with all his antics, acknowledging Andy's wry genius. Along the way on his self-made rocky road of stardom, Kaufman reinvents himself as a foreign man who mangles jokes, and as Elvis; lip-syncs the MIGHTY MOUSE cartoon theme after a full minute of dead air time on Saturday Night Live; becomes a "professional" wrestler, and subsequently manages to sabotage his TV career. The supporting cast in MAN ON THE MOON is excellent, including Paul Giamatti has his comedic partner-in-crime, and many members of the real cast of TAXI.
Synopsis
Oscar winning Czech Forman directs this timepiece biopic in which Jim Carrey steps into the seemingly impossible-to-replicate shoes of legendary late comic Andy Kaufman. Carrey, who has obviously done his research, pulls off a stunning transformation. The film observes Kaufman from his childhood through his early prestardom days, when agent George Shapiro (Danny De Vito) eventually discovers him. Shapiro gets Andy a job with Saturday Night Live, followed by a successful run on TV’s Taxi as the lovable character Latka Gravas. Kaufman hated sitcoms; he worked on television solely for the exposure. He eventually became obsessed with professional wrestling, finally crowning himself the Inter-Gender Champion of the World. This descent into the world of wrestling, and his subsequent relationship with wrestler Jerry Lawler, are some of the comic high points of the film. Great comic performances are also provided by Paul Giamatti as his best friend and business partner, Bob Zmuda; and by Courtney Love as his girlfriend, Lynne Margulies. The rapid-fire screenplay was written by longtime Forman collaborators Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.
Film Notes
The title MAN ON THE MOON refers to an R.E.M. song about Andy Kaufman from the album AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE.
Director Forman could not decide between Edward Norton and Jim Carrey for the lead role, so he left it up to the studio.
Jim Carrey and Andy Kaufman were both born on January 17.
The role of Andy's sister, Carol Kaufman, was played by Andy's granddaughter, Brittany Colonna.
Industry Reviews
"...Carrey scores mightily in an eerily spectacular make-or-break performance that nails the public persona of [Andy Kaufman]..."
Clark
"...[See] it for Carrey's creepy impersonation act..." -- 3 out of 5 stars
Kelly
"...[Carrey gives] a virtuoso turn that unerringly captures the behavioral quirkiness and disquieting vacantness of the man he's portraying..."
McCarthy
"...It is a fascinating, whirlwind tour through the life of a true Hollywood enigma....The film does offer an illuminating dissection of Kaufman's comedic style and philosophy..."
Box Office - Wade Major (02/01/2000)
"...Carrey is a major fan and seems to have an intuitive understanding of his bizarre subject. His performance is a brilliant, almost terrifying impersonation..."
Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan (12/22/1999)
"...What is most wonderful about MAN ON THE MOON, a very good film, is that it remains true to Kaufman's stubborn vision....The film has a heroic performance from Jim Carrey..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (12/22/1999)
"[Carrey gives] a dazzling performance that maintains its intensity throughout..."
Movieline's Hollywood Life - Stephen Farber
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