Man on the Moon is a fantastic film that informs you nothing about the subject. You're no closer to knowing what made Andy Kaufman (Jim Carrey) so crazy, inventive, or clever after two hours. Instead, you go away with a thorough understanding of the man's work and a newfound admiration for it.
After you hear that Andy (Jim Carrey) famous first, Andy wishes it was better since the movie is now finished and all the nonsense has been removed. The credits roll, you're told to return home, and the screen goes blank. At this point, everyone who gets up double-checks the running time or even considers rewinding their tape becomes the punchline of the film's opening joke, which would make Mr Kaufman proud. Andy returns on the screen soon after, asking you to watch the biography that follows to at least attempt to grasp his career.
Kaufman began his career in the same way that most comedians do: at home, in front of his family. Years later, Kaufman is floundering at an improv comedy club because his act hasn't altered since his days as a bedroom performer, despite a very different sort of audience. Andy receives a clear message from the management as he taps his guitar and makes strange noises: get with it or get out. Andy returns with a spot-on Elvis impersonation that is unmistakable.
Kaufman, like many other celebrities, gets found at a dingy nightclub. It doesn't take long for agent George Shapiro (Danny DeVito) to land his new client a spot on Saturday Night Live and a sitcom called Taxi. Kaufman begins to play in a variety of venues with previously unheard of material. Kaufman goes where few others have gone before, whether it's wrestling ladies, disrupting a live television event, or bringing the crowd at Carnegie Hall out for milk and cookies. However, everything that goes up must eventually fall.
Andy Kaufman died in 1984, most likely. Some believe he is still alive, and Man on the Moon gives a beautiful "exit-clause" if that turned out to be the case. Despite the fact, Andy Kaufman wanted to offer his audience an unforgettable experience, and Carrey provide precisely that in Man in the Moon.
If you get a chance watch the behind the scenes footage about how awful it was to work with Jim Carrey during this film. Basically everyone hated him on set as he refused to come out of character. No doubt it was a good performance on Jim's part, but I feel as though this movie lead to him going into a downward spiral of nutjobbery.
Awesome piece of information - will look it up and watch it. Thanks for the recommendation.