It's not a comedy - that's why it isn't funny

Rating: Null/10 (3 October 2001)

I've just finished reading most of the 400+ comments on IMDB regarding Man on the Moon. Most people seemed to have missed the point - this film was never supposed to be a comedy, notwithstanding the fact that it stars Jim Carrey (funny guy !) and is about the life of Andy Kaufman (who was regarded by many, if not himself, as a comedian).
Director Foreman attempts within the limited timescale and framework offered by a movie to capture the essence of Andy Kaufman's undeniably unconventional character. As such I would judge the film a great success. You leave with a definite feeling of having 'met' Andy Kaufman. In the end you feel more than a little frustrated with him for not being more funny, for not being more compliant; for basically not chilling out and relaxing a little bit....
He appears to have been a pretty unique and driven character. His unwillingness to conform both onstage or offstage comes across with startling clarity. This creates a definite sense of unease and apprehension in us, the viewing public, since we've been taught\brainwashed to always empathize with the leading character. This is the source of all the negative comments regarding the film....but that's not the point !
Regardless of whether we like Kaufamn or not, Foreman's film gives us a very lucid account of what the man was like. Add to this Jim Carrey's stunning performance, aided by a strong supporting cast, and the film succeeds brilliantly in its primary goal - that of transmitting to us a very basic idea of who Andy Kaufman actually was.
Man on the Moon is an intense, well acted and ultimately moving biopic. It's not a comedy.