- Actors: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Gerry Becker, Greyson Erik Pendry, Brittany Colonna
- Directors: Milos Forman
- Writers: Larry Karaszewski, Scott Alexander
- Producers: Danny DeVito, George Shapiro, Bob Zmuda, Howard West, Michael Hausman
- Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language English
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 2.35:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: R (Restricted) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Universal Studios
- DVD Release Date: 30 May 2000
- Run Time: 118 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00003CWTL
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 53,487 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
"There is no real you," jokes Lynn Margulies (Courtney Love) to her boyfriend, Andy Kaufman (Jim Carrey), as he grows more contemplative during a battle with cancer. "I forgot," he says, playing along, though the question of Kaufman's reality is always at issue in Milos Forman's underappreciated Man on the Moon.
The story of Kaufman's quick rise to fame through early appearances on Saturday Night Live and the conceptual stunts that made his club and concert appearances an instant legend in the irony-fueled 1970s and early '80s, Man on the Moon never makes the mistake of artificially delineating Comic Andy from Private Andy. True, we get to see something of his private interest in meditation and some of the flakier extremes of alternative medicine, but even these interludes suggest the presence of an ultimate con behind apparent miracles of transformation.
Screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (The People vs. Larry Flynt) allege that transformation was Kaufman's purpose--more than a shtick but less than a destiny. As we see him constantly up the ante on the credibility of his performance personae (the obnoxious nightclub comic Tony Clifton; the insulting, misogynistic professional wrestler), Forman makes it harder and harder to detect Kaufman's sleight of hand. But it's there, always there, always the transcendent Andy watching the havoc he creates and the emotions he stirs.
Carrey is magnificent as Kaufman, re-creating uncannily detailed comedy pieces etched in the memory of anyone who remembers the real Andy. But while Carrey's mimicry of Kaufman is flawless and funny, the actor probes much deeper into an enigmatic character who, in life, was often a moving target even for those closest to him. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film is beautiful and moving and surprisingly funny. It follows the career of Andy Kaufman from fairly appalling stand up to his time on the sitcom 'Taxi' and Saturday Night Live. Jim Carrey is wonderful in the role and is suitably funny and entertaining as well as demonstrating Kaufman's growing frustration at being typecast. This film also boasts a superb supporting cast. I knew nothing of Andy Kaufman before I saw this film so only could trust that Carrey's performance was true to life. It was only until I saw a re-run of 'Taxi' I realised how accurate his portrayal was. I would recommend this film for laughs but also to appreciate the beauty of life. The wrestling is reason enough to watch!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
When I tell people about this film and mention that Jim Carrey is the staring role they assume that it is a stupid film with Carrey's ever repetetive one liners and catchphrases, I assure you this is one film that won't annoy the hell out of you.
The film is based on Andy Kaufman's life and how he was pictured by the media. This is a tragic dramatical comedy which will make you laugh at the antics of Andy Kaufman but also make you think when the serious stuff kicks in. The film follows Andy through his early times in clubs right through his appearences on saturday night live, the inter-gender wrestling, his time on Taxi, the ludicras hoax's and the tragedy of his life, this is one of my favorite films and if you watch I'm sure it will be one of yours aswel.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Most commentary on this film has focused on Carey's portrayal of Kaufman. Such total immerson is always fascinating as is the public reaction. If you do it in a dramatic film (As in "Raging Bull" or "Shine") you can win an Oscar. But you do not need the Academy to tell you this is not a dramatic film. However, I really believe the best way of considering this film is to focus on the director more than the star.
The best parts of this film are at the beginning and the end. The opening sequence is simple Kaufmanesque, which, in retrospect, is a brilliant ploy. It sets the mood perfectly. At the end, with Kaufman's trip to the Philippines, is the final punchline to his life. Of course I do not want to give it away, but if you consider it from the perspective of Kaufman as the comedian who always cried "wolf," you have to appreciate the supreme irony of the moment which sums up Kaufman's life, both symbolically and literally (Note. Even though the cast credits are not at the end of the film, please make a point of staying around until the end of the credits. It is not a big joke, it is simply a pleasant surprise).
I watched this film with my kids who know nothing about Andy Kaufman. They knew who Carol Kane was from "The Princess Bride" and whathizface from all those "Back to the Future Movies." What was interesting to me was that they bit on the entire movie. No matter how many times Andy cried wolf, they fell for it. At the end they were convinced he was not really dead. Regarding the deleted scenes, I remember seeing Zmuda tear apart Kaufman's act on cable. I wish it had been kept in the film, because its one of his better triple twists.
This is not a great film, but it is a very good film, especially given its subject matter. If you do not like Kaufman, or are not willing to at least give him a shot, you probably will not like the movie. Nobody thinks Kaufman walked a fine line. He was over it. If that bothers you, then you will not like this movie. You have to take him at face value (and, yes, I appreciate the irony of that comment).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Amazing. Milos Foreman is a genius!
Having only a brief and vague impression of Andy Kaufman as a child catching late-night episode's of Taxi, I had no idea of the impact the man made throughout his short life. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Gordon C. Tait
Excellent funny serious movie
One of my favorite movies, and one of the best roles of J. Carrey. This DVD has no english subtitles.
Published 3 months ago by M. G.
Biopic of Andy Kaufman:Man on the Moon
I was first interested in this film because of the REM connection in the song Man on the Moon.It is an offbeat film based on a wacky character but it is very entertaining. Read more
Published 5 months ago by W. J. Beckwith
It must be lonely up there
I'm not so sure that Andy Kaufman would have gotten away with it in the more cynical and jaded 21st century. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Inspector Gadget
Messing with people's minds
Like most British viewers I first saw him as Latka in Taxi. His character was very funny and it was not until I heard the REM song that I discovered he had done anything else. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2009 by Peter Wade
Brilliant Film
I first saw this film years ago and enjoyed it but have only recently got back into after seeing it again several years later and even though I like Jim Carrey in other films like... Read more
Published on 5 Oct 2008 by Michael Birch
Me Over The Moon
I thought this film was good until I watched a documentary on the Biography channel and I started doing my own research about Andy Kaufman and I realised that Jim Carrey is a... Read more
Published on 26 Jan 2007 by Mr. Craig Bruce
Thank you very much.
Man on the Moon, a movie I watched purely because I liked the REM track, a movie I thoroughly enjoyed. In fact I enjoyed it so much I bought a copy. Read more
Published on 16 July 2006 by Tim Bentley
Impressive
This is absolutely the best Jim Carrey I have ever seen. The story about Andy Kaufman is of course very much summarized in this movie but in my opinion it sketches a solid picture... Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2005 by Jack DeBokx
Intriguing
Man On The Moon is just like watching Andy Kaufman - funny at times but with long stretches finding yourself feeling slightly confused and uncomfortable. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 2005 by Mr. R. Sharman
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