Man on the Moon

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Man on the Moon

R

Released Dec 22, 1999

1h 58m

Biography

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Popcornmeter

64%

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122 Reviews

79%

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50,000+ Ratings

Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to inter-gender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay.

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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.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

We're constantly kept guessing as to what's real or false. Intriguing.

Jun 24, 2006

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Leslie Felperin

Sight & Sound

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.

Dec 2, 2002

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

As drama, it's a near miss. Yet as an introduction -- or a reminder -- of a singular talent, it has its appeal.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 18, 2002

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Frank J. Avella

Edge Media Network

Besides a clever script, deft direction, and Carrey literally carrying the film to incredible heights, Forman was able to assemble a host of actors playing themselves, including most of the original "Taxi" cast members...

Rated: B+

Mar 2, 2022

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A socko motion picture.

Rated: 3.5/4

Feb 27, 2022

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Andrea Beach

Common Sense Media

Entertaining biopic has strong language, brief nudity.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 20, 2019

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Estevan G

A fascinating biographical film about the eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman, brought to life with an exceptional performance by Jim Carrey. The movie captures Kaufman’s unpredictable genius and his penchant for blurring the lines between comedy and reality. Carrey’s commitment to embodying Kaufman is transformative, though it sometimes overshadows the story’s emotional depth. The film skillfully portrays Kaufman’s career, controversies, and personal struggles, but its nonlinear narrative may alienate those unfamiliar with his work. A poignant exploration of fame and individuality, its is both inspiring and bittersweet.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/09/24

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Audience Member

One of the best biopics and one of the best performances of real-life people in film ever! This is the greatness of Jim Carrey...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/14/24

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Mason M

Hilarious film, largely due to it being a best of compilation of Andy Kaufman's career. I loved Man on the Moon. There isn't much special about the filmmaking, with the exception being how the audience can never tell whether Andy is lying or telling the truth. It's largely driven by Jim Carrey's amazing performance as Kaufman.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/08/24

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Diane S

Great movie. Jim Carrey IS Andy Kaufman. Carrey was usually a doofus before this movie, but once I got involved with this story, I was hooked. Will see it again.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/30/24

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Alejandro E

Jim Carrey was perhaps the safest choice to play one of the most hated-loved comedians in history. The film itself is not entirely even but it has its good moments.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/12/24

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Audience Member

Any actual fan of Andy couldn't like how Jim played him. It was a bad performance. Not to say Jim isn't a genius but this was not a good match.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/24/24

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Milos Forman

Director

Jim Carrey

Andy Kaufman

J. Alan Thomas

Self

Bob Zmuda

Jack Burns

Max Alexander

Harrah's Booker

Peter Bonerz

Ed. Weinberger - Taxi Producer

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Synopsis

Jim Carrey stars as the late Andy Kaufman, who was considered one of the most innovative, eccentric and enigmatic performers of his time. A master at manipulating audiences, Kaufman could generate belly laughs, stony silence, tears or brawls. Whether inviting the audience out for milk and cookies or challenging women to inter-gender wrestling matches, he specialized in creating performances so real that even his close friends were never sure where the truth lay.

Director: Milos Forman
Producer: Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Screenwriter: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Mutual Film Company, Cinehaus, Universal Pictures, Jersey Films
Rating: R (Brief Sexuality|Brief Nudity|Language)
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 22, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 7, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $34.6M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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