Man on the Moon

Name: Man on the Moon
Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy
Released: December 22, 1999
Duration: 118 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Danny DeVito, Jim Carrey

1999

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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Man On The Moon

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 22, 1999

Starring: Danny DeVito, Jim Carrey

Summary: Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. [Universal Pictures]

Director: Milos Forman

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 118 min

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Awards & Rankings

52	#52 Most Discussed Movie of 1999
27	#27 Most Shared Movie of 1999

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Critic Reviews

100

Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman

Jim Carrey's performance is an impersonation on the level of genius. Read full review

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

What is most wonderful about Man on the Moon, a very good film, is that it remains true to Kaufman's stubborn vision. Read full review

New York Daily News - Jami Bernard

Carrey gives an otherworldly, possessed performance as Kaufman. Read full review

Newsweek - David Ansen

Forman's decision to stick to the surface is probably, in the end, a wise one. Kaufman always wanted to keep us guessing, and this movie respects his wishes. Read full review

The New York Times - Janet Maslin

What is missing here, though it might have been the first thing expected from an ostensible film biography, is an answer to the simplest question: Who was Andy Kaufman, and how did he get that way? Read full review

Washington Post - Desson Thomson

All credit to Carrey, whose one-man performance is almost enough to redeem the movie. Read full review

Variety - Todd McCarthy

Never comes close to making the case that its subject is worthy of the viewer's interest. Read full review

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User Reviews

ErickC

Oct 5, 2005

Hats off to jim carrey he really is andy in this movie amazing, breathtaking! a must see!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Mithras

Feb 16, 2008

A hilarious movie, regardless of its capture of Kaufman's life. I have never even heard of Kaufman before this film, and while accuracy to historical events / people in any film does add a lot to someone who knows the history, or someone seeking a resource from which to learn about the A hilarious movie, regardless of its capture of Kaufman's life. I have never even heard of Kaufman before this film, and while accuracy to historical events / people in any film does add a lot to someone who knows the history, or someone seeking a resource from which to learn about the history, I personally do not believe accuracy should factor in one's opinion of a movie; this is of course to the extent that it does not disgust through blaspheming the character to the point that it could be seen as bad taste. So from a completely separate from previous experience viewpoint, this movie was hilarious and enjoyable through and through.… Expand

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MaximI.

Aug 8, 2008

I'me not a touchy guy, we Russians have lived thru so much thru our history that crying is the last thing we do. But after this movie, i cried. I remember when i first saw it, i was 14. Jim is a genious. He's an amazing comedy player, the greatest the American continent ever new. I'me not a touchy guy, we Russians have lived thru so much thru our history that crying is the last thing we do. But after this movie, i cried. I remember when i first saw it, i was 14. Jim is a genious. He's an amazing comedy player, the greatest the American continent ever new. And as we have seen, he's an amazing drama player. When he combines it, it's cruel. People cant take it. Nothing makes you want to cry more then laugh thru tears, and shurely in the true way he does it. If you want robots with iron heads (empty inside, like those who watch it), dont visit this. Really. The sad end, the amaizing person he played, how cruel a world can be to a man. Great movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

lasttimeisaw

Jan 26, 2015

I enter the film while being literally oblivious of who is Andy Kaufman, as far as I know, the film is mostly famed because it hitherto has been Jim Carrey’s most Oscar-worthy performance, yet being blatantly snubbed again after his drama venture in Peter Weir’s THE TRUMAN SHOW (1998, 8/10).I enter the film while being literally oblivious of who is Andy Kaufman, as far as I know, the film is mostly famed because it hitherto has been Jim Carrey’s most Oscar-worthy performance, yet being blatantly snubbed again after his drama venture in Peter Weir’s THE TRUMAN SHOW (1998, 8/10).

So in my case, the film is a dedicative portrait of an eccentric entertainer whose ideology of performance is all about entertaining himself and treat his audience as a receptacle of his sensational idiosyncrasy and excruciatingly manipulative fabrications disguised as parody or mockery. Yet, during his short life-span (Andy passed away in 1984 at the age of 35), this methodology makes him a unique figure in the canvas of American comedians (although he would never condescend himself as a “comedian”).

keep reading my review on my blog, google: cinema omnivore, thanks… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FranzHcritic

May 27, 2014

While as a whole, Miloš Forman created an almost mawkish depiction of the enigmatic Andy Kaufman, with all the cliché's of a biographical film. Jim Carreys almost uncannily identical portrayal of Kaufman, is not even an adaptation of the person, but a translation, something that' s seldomWhile as a whole, Miloš Forman created an almost mawkish depiction of the enigmatic Andy Kaufman, with all the cliché's of a biographical film. Jim Carreys almost uncannily identical portrayal of Kaufman, is not even an adaptation of the person, but a translation, something that' s seldom seen from palatable or even capable biographicals. It is his magnum opus, and the Academy Awards I think failed to recognize his comedic talent. Though the Golden Globes didn't, as they are more fair.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tokyochuchu

Jun 3, 2012

I had no interest or connection with Andy Kaufman besides liking R.E.M and pro wrestling, but Man on the Moon proved an entertaining and enlightening biopic. The movie is well made and has a truly excellent central performance by Jim Carrey. It doesn't really inspire me to check outI had no interest or connection with Andy Kaufman besides liking R.E.M and pro wrestling, but Man on the Moon proved an entertaining and enlightening biopic. The movie is well made and has a truly excellent central performance by Jim Carrey. It doesn't really inspire me to check out Kaufman's body of work but it was definitely worth watching.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Spangle

Dec 16, 2013

Ok movie right here. Jim Carrey kills it, however, the rest of movie feels as though it's missing something, like something feels a little off (which I guess is appropriate).

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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