Man on the Moon Reviewed - Movies - http://maxpages.com/xanadu/manmoon

3 Stars.

After much buzz about this movie, it has been met with mixed reviews. I think I have a logical explanation for that. From what I remember of Kaufmann, he was either completely hilarious or not funny at all. Naturally, the movie about his life is the same way. There are times your sides will split and other times you will whisper, "What the hell?"

That is not to say this movie is not without merit. Director Milos Foman, of One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest and Amadeus, has his skillful hand at work, reconstructs almost exactly the sketches of Kaufmann. But Forman cannot do it alone. The real power of the movie lies in Carrey. An actor whom I once loathed, it seems Carrey might be coming into his own now. Leaving the Ace Ventura crap, he has become Kaufmann. He is so close, it is scary. From the episodes of Taxi to the infamous "Here I come to save the day," routine to Carneige Hall, Carrey is Kaufmann. I have never seen an actor look, talk, and act so close to the real person that he is playing. This perfomance could net him an Oscar nod, something that I would have never believed Carrey capable of earning after I saw Dumb and Dumber.

Though the movie twists some of the events around a bit and perhaps goes a bit out of its way to make Kaufmann look like a comedic genius, it is still a very accurate portrayal of the life of one of comedy's rebels. And, it never answers the question of whether it was all an act, or if Kaufmann was in fact just the slightest bit off in the head. The world will never know, I suppose.

The bottom line is, those of you who loved Kaufmann's stuff will also love this movie. However, those like me, who often wondered what he was stabbing at, may find the film a bit long in some parts. All in all, it is worth a look. And as Latka would say, tank 'ou vary much.

Xanadu8503@aol.com

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Page Updated Wed May 3, 2000 3:41am EDT