Jan 20, 2013
Man 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.
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