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Review

In a performance that should have earned him an Academy Award nomination (evidently some in Hollywood will never forgive him for his talking ass bit), Carrey excels as eccentric comedian Andy Kaufman in this hit-or-miss biography. More of a collection of episodes from Kaufman's life (mostly his comedy pieces) rather than a look inside the mind of a man who may have been a comedy genius, Man on the Moon traces Andy's life in brief skits from childhood to his rise as a comedy club and TV performer to his untimely death. With a brilliant opening that would have no doubt pleased the late comedian (the final credits are run before the movie starts), the film works best when Carrey is bringing to life Andy's own, unique brand of performance comedy. Less successful are the personal moments; the filmmakers bring little depth into the psyche of the comedian. And if their point was that no one really knew Andy, then this was approached clumsily. No matter, it is Carrey's show, and he doesn't disappoint on any level. Man on the Moon may not bring a greater appreciation of Andy Kaufman, but it certainly will make one look at Jim Carrey in an altogether new light.