Review of Man on the Moon (1999) by Hanna H — 12 Sep 2008

After his amazing turn in "The Truman Show", legendary "One Flew Over The Cukoo's Nest" director, Milos Forman, took notice, and cast Jim Carrey, in his biopic, of strange, yet teetering on brilliance comic, Andy Kaufman. In a movie that depicted the odd originallity in his schtick, as well as the mystique of the man himself.

Kaufman was a comedian who just wanted to do things differently, and he did just that. His act wasn't like anything else. He could do impersonations, and lip synch the "Mighty Mouse" theme, at only the same part of the song, and people would laugh hysterically.

Carrey emulates Kaufman here almost too perfect. It's actually downright scary if you ask me. Especially when he does Andy's schtick (still clouded in mystery to this day), of his alter ego, obnoxious lounge singer, Tony Clifton.

Eventually, the Howdy Doody lovin' comic who refuses to do what everyone tells him, and wants it done his way, reluctantly takes a role on a new sitcom, that would become a huge hit called, "Taxi". Playing the funny and cooky mechanic, Latka Gravas. And I love how some of the scenes in this film, show him as Kaufman with the real stars of "Taxi". (Which works, because despite aging a bit, most of them look pretty much the same).

Kaufman, along with his comedic partner and co-writer, Bob Zmuda (played very well in an underrated performance by Paul Giamatti), make life difficult, for producer and manager, George Shapiro (Danny Devita, also in a grear role), but while Shapiro may be annoyed, he can't help but always stay aboard for the ride.

Kaufman of course, being a big wrestling fan, had to get involved in that somehow, and since he was willing to do anything to get attention, he became a heel wrestler, fighting against women, travelling down to Memphis to do so as well, and feuding with the territory's most popular star, Jerry "The King" Lawler (also playing himself).

While we get the idea of Andy's antics, we never truly fully understand the method to his madness, but Carrey captures it, all to perfect here, and gives us the best understanding he can.

When people started rejecting Andy, tiring of his over the top antics, we see through the movie here, that Andy was deeply affected by it. Despite all this, he found love in a kind woman, by the name of Lynn (Courtney Love, showing us she can do stuff without being an idiot), and we see how much he valued her as a person.

After his fame was fleeting, tragedy struck, and now Andy had new challenges to deal with.

This movie isn't the typical, "Hey lets make a biopicwith a top star and get him an Oscar". No, here, Forman does his best to really portray the man that was Andy Kaufman, and Carrey again, following his amazing turn in "Truman Show", gives yet another Oscar worthy performance here, and yet again, gets snubbed.

The poor guy will never catch a break, when it comes to the so called highest award for an actor.

In my opinion, Carrey's reward comes from fans and critics alike, who respect him for his abilities.