
Man on the Moon
1999, Biography, 1h 58m
120 Reviews 50,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Jim Carrey is eerily dead-on in his portrayal of Andy Kaufman, which helps to elevate Man on the Moon above the script's formulaic biopic cliches. Read critic reviews
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Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Andy Kaufman
Self
Jack Burns

Harrah's Booker
Ed. Weinberger - Taxi Producer
Little Andy Kaufman
News & Interviews for Man on the Moon
Critic Reviews for Man on the Moon
All Critics (120) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (76) | Rotten (44)
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We're constantly kept guessing as to what's real or false. Intriguing.
June 24, 2006 | Full Review… -
The problem is that while Kaufman's life story has its required quota of bizarre-yet-true events, it's doomed to failure as mainstream entertainment because Kaufman wasn't terribly likeable as a person.
December 2, 2002 -
As drama, it's a near miss. Yet as an introduction -- or a reminder -- of a singular talent, it has its appeal.
June 18, 2002 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review… -
Superficially clever yet profoundly shallow.
March 22, 2002 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review… -
Makes you unsure whether you have learned more (or absolutely nothing) about this mysterious and undoubtedly talented man.
April 17, 2001 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… -
One of the year's most entertaining movies.
January 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4
Audience Reviews for Man on the Moon
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Jun 26, 2013Man on the Moon is a stunning biopic on the adult life of Andy Kaufmann. I've heard of Kaufmann before, but not being alive during his era I never knew who he was as a performer. What this film does tremendously is it keeps you guessing on what's a goof and what's not until the end. Much like Andy Kaufmann did. The film has plenty of golden moments, and I can't say I'd remove or even cut down any scenes if I was in Milo's Formans position. Jim Carrey, was an obvious choice, (despite this not being a break out role for him) he did an excellent job portraying Andy Kaufmann. Danny DeVito also plays a common role for himself, but he did his job. Woody Allen must have thought so since he casted DeVito as a comedians agent four years later. Despite not everything being factual, what was an actual occurrence was shown in a highly realistic and accurate sense. If you look up some of Kaufmann's stunts they're identical as to how they are portrayed in the film. This is a marvelous comedy with plenty of memorable moments.Daniel D Super Reviewer
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Jan 20, 2013Man On The Moon is a comedy/drama about the life and unconventional comedy of Andy Kaufman. The audience follow Andy's life from his early childhood to his death from lung cancer. The movie sets the tone of the film early on and completely changes from around the half way mark - in line with the discovery of his disease. In the end, it's not the film you thought it was going to be. At least for the members of the audience who were previously unaware of Andy Kaufman. I feel that the film is quite honest. Probably due to most of the cast knowing Andy personally. Not only that, but for the most part playing themselves in the film. The whole cast of Taxi play themselves with the exception of Danny DeVito who cannot as he is already producing the film and playing George Shapiro (one of the main parts). Jerry Lawler plays himself, David Letterman plays himself etc etc. This makes the movie not only personal but warm, heartfelt and one that is told by those who loved him most. Although honest, the one main difference between the film and real life events is that the audience are in on the joke. Were they ever with Kaufman? Andy Kaufman is played superbly by Jim Carrey. Carrey hit the big time with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective in 1994 and had a string of hit movies with his own unique style of "rubber faced" humour. In 1998 he played his first serious role in The Truman Show which showed audiences that he could "play it straight" too. Man On The Moon was released the following year and was the second release in which he left his comic hat at home. He delivers the role very well and is convincing as Kaufman. I feel that other actors could have played the part but it would have changed the feel of the movie completely and for my money wouldn't have been as good as Carrey was. The part of Kaufman's close friend and writer Bob Zmuda was played by Paul Giamatti. He also gives a stand out performance and I feel that he worked very well along Carrey. For Giamatti this is about his 20th film and came at around the time he started receiving wider recognition. I'm really looking forward to seeing him work alongside Fassbender in the up and coming Twelve Years a Slave. As a standalone comedy or drama Man On The Moon fails to deliver. However, like Kaufman it fails to fit into the usual constraints. All things considered I feel that it is a great movie. I look at Man On The Moon with affection and joy, I find it entertaining and it hasn't lost its appeal over the many times I have watched it. I consider the critics were harsh and that Man On The Moon is largely underrated. It is generally criticised for poor acting, a flawed story and a weak wishy-washy presentation that makes no statement, nor does it answer any questions. I totally disagree with all of these comments and feel as though I watched a different film altogether. Granted, certain parts appear a little unpolished but it's a great film overall. I would recommend it to anyone.James C Super Reviewer
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Dec 15, 2012Jim Carrey's uncanny impersonation of Andy Kaufman is both the film's grand triumph but also its potential downfall. There's nothing outside of his performance that gives "Man on the Moon" any substance. Milos Forman orchestrates the film like a hurried timeline of vignettes. It doesn't take you anywhere special. There's not a good sense of what made Kaufman tick. But there's enough in "Man on the Moon" to keep you watching as Kaufman was a fascinatingly unique individual and Carrey brings him to life. It's just that the life he's portraying doesn't reveal anything behind the genius.Tony G Super Reviewer
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Feb 08, 2012Tracing the rise and fall of a man whom many still consider of the great comedic geniuses of the 20th century, "Man on the Moon" is a biopic about the mercurial (and confounding) Andy Kaufman, who most people know as Latka Gravas from the hit 1970s show "Taxi". I'll leave Wikipedia to fill you in on the events of his life - I'll concentrate on the merits of the film itself. As a dramatic character piece, "Man on the Moon" falls just short of working. There are pacing problems abound and areas of its larger-than-life subject we wish were explored further. However, I'm still going to mildly recommend it on the strength of Jim Carrey's absolutely incredible performance as Kaufman. This often-overlooked portrayal is the best of Carrey's career; not only does he bear a strong physical resemblance to Kaufman, but as Jaime Foxx did in "Ray", Carrey uses mimicry as a means of facilitating a surprisingly deep character study to the audience. Based on his work as Andy, "Man on the Moon" is worth a peek.Matt F Super Reviewer
Man on the Moon Quotes
Andy Kaufman: | Here I come to save the day. |
Lynne Margulies: | so you just pretend to be an ass. |
Lynne Margulies: | So you just pretend to be an asshole. |
Andy Kaufman: | it's what i'm good at. |
Andy Kaufman: | It's what i'm good at. |
Andy Kaufman: | It's what I'm good at. |
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