Moon on the Man?

Rating: 8/10 (9 January 2000)

In a way, Carrey-as-Kaufman's opening objections to the movie ring truer than the filmmakers probably intended. The film is, as many here have noted, a mostly shallow biography. It is saved only somewhat by a terrific impersonation and a fascinating subject.
I'm not a Johnny-come-lately to either the Kaufman or Carrey bandwagons. I dug Andy from his SNL appearances on -- always saw the genius subtext of every ballsy bit he tried, even the "controversial" wrestling stuff. And I liked Carrey from "In Living Color" on...in addition to becoming a fine actor, he has become perhaps the most talented physical comedian since Buster Keaton. It's fitting that they both have the same birthday...this is truly a match made in comedy heaven.
So for that reason, and almost that reason alone, the movie is worth seeing at least once. But man, what a botched attempt at a great film! We get overly simplified transitions between Kaufman bits, a woefully slight treatment of Kaufman's developing years (Why TM? Why Zmuda? Why the "performance art" approach?), and a sloppy approach to the details of Kaufman's life (for example, no mention that he did "Van Dyke & Company" before "Taxi"; that Dick Ebersol, not Lorne Michaels, produced SNL when Kaufman was fired from the show...and where was Elayne Boosler, a close pal and former girlfriend of Andy's? Her presence was acknowledged not at all.)
It's almost a shame to waste a great performance like Carrey's on a movie this compromised and lame (it does look as if it were brutally edited.) Someday, I hope, another fine actor will take on portraying Andy, and be supported by a director, writer and producer more committed to providing insight about Kaufman the man.