Can we believe they put a man on the moon?!

Rating: Null/10 (18 May 2000)

On the surface Milos Forman's latest biopic, appears to concentrate on the little known yet notoriously anarchic comedian, Andy Kaufman. However, the retelling of Kaufman's life story seems to stand as a study of what audiences (particularly TV) perceive to be reality, and how such perceptions can be manipulated by media organisations or, as in this case, individuals.
The film is full of metaphors which are symbolic of events where authenticity has been questioned and media manipulation implied. Wrestling, although originating as a sport, has become popularised as staged entertainment. Elvis' death has always been the subject of much scrutiny, as we are led to believe, was Kaufman's own. Even the film's title which derives from the REM song (incidently the band composed the film's entire musical score) which posed the question "Can you believe they put a man on the moon?".
Kaufman was a man who recognised the potential anarchy in television. He had something of a punk ethos, in that he appeared to have no set agenda. Even his closest friends and family were never enitirely sure where his stage persona ended and the real Andy began. He seemed to welcome such confusion for the most part. Surely he would have enjoyed this tribute to him. The film itself serves as a lesson in postmodernity gone mad, with several characters appearing as themselves (all be it 20 years older) and the only cast member from Taxi who doesn't appear is Danny DeVito, who actually plays his agent in this. If this seems absurd well then surely Kaufman is having the last laugh after all.
Clearly this is Carey's bravest performance to date because it is by no means a mainstream picture. He's proved once more that he's not just a rubber faced funny man, and more to the point he's proved the same for his subject!