Man on the Moon

Rating: 7/10 (2 February 2009)

I heard of and seen the poster for this biographical comedy drama from director Milos Forman (One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, Amadeus), I was looking forward to seeing it. Basically Andy Kaufman (Golden Globe winning Jim Carrey) was the eccentric comedian who grew to fame for performing Elvis impressions, then as Latka Gravas on stage, and then on the popular sitcom "Taxi". But as his popularity grew, so did his desire to perform even more unconventional, bizarre and practically hated routines, stunts and performances, which concerns his manager George Shapiro (Danny DeVito, who knew the real Kaufman in "Taxi", also producing the film). His various inside jokes, put-ons and happenings are seen not only on stage, but on "Saturday Night Live", "Late Night with David Letterman" and "Fridays". His long-running "feud" includes his self-declared Intergender Wrestling Champion of the world fights, plus wrestling with Jerry "The King" Lawler, and his portrayal of bawdy singer Tony Clifton. George, his creative partner Bob Zmuda (Paul Giamatti) and girlfriend Lynne Margulies (Courtney Love) are first unconvinced when he announces he has cancer, but of course he is telling the truth, and after his death, there are still questions as to whether he was a comedy genius or not. Also starring Vincent Schiavelli as ABC Executive Maynard Smith, Gerry Becker as Stanley Kaufman - Andy's Father, Peter Bonerz as Taxi Producer Ed. Weinberger, Greyson Erik Pendry as Little Michael Kaufman, Brittany Colonna as Baby Carol Kaufman, Leslie Lyles as Janice Kaufman - Andy's Mother, Bobby Boriello as Little Andy Kaufman and the real George Shapiro as Mr. Besserman. I can agree that the director makes you unsure of what to think of Kaufman, but of course this is the point, in real life, you never knew when the act stopped. Carrey gives a very convincing performance, DeVito, Giamatti and Love give good support, and with music and songs by R.E.M., including "Man on the Moon" (made in 1993, but it is about Kaufman) and "The Great Beyond" (written for the film), this is a very interesting film. It was nominated the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical. Very good!