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Man on the Moon is a 1999 biographical comedy-drama film directed by Milos Forman and starring Jim Carrey as the legendary comedian Andy Kaufman. The film is a depiction of the life of Kaufman, from his early days as a comedian to his sudden fame and early death from cancer at the age of 35. Danny DeVito plays George Shapiro, Kaufman's longtime friend and manager, while Gerry Becker portrays Stanley Kaufman, Andy's stern and skeptical father.

The movie begins with a young Andy being forced to perform for his family at Thanksgiving, setting the stage for his early love for attention and his unique, often bizarre sense of humor. Later, he takes his comedy to the stage, crafting characters like Foreign Man and Latka Gravas, which eventually earn him a gig on the hit television show, Taxi. Kaufman's career takes off, but not without controversy, as his confrontational and boundary-pushing style alienates some audiences and leads to media backlash.

Throughout the film, Kaufman's personal life is also explored, including his long-time relationship with his girlfriend Lynne Margulies (played by Courtney Love) and his battles with a rare form of lung cancer. The movie also delves into Kaufman's fascination with wrestling, which led him to feud with professional wrestler Jerry "The King" Lawler (played by himself) in a series of faked altercations that became legendary in the wrestling community.

Jim Carrey delivers a masterful performance as Kaufman, nailing the comedian's distinctive speech patterns and off-kilter mannerisms. His portrayal is both hilarious and poignant, showcasing both the absurdity and tragedy of Kaufman's life. Carrey's dedication to the role was also notable, as he remained in character as Kaufman and his alter ego Tony Clifton even off-camera, reportedly irritating some of his co-stars in the process.

The supporting cast also shines, with Danny DeVito providing a grounded and sympathetic performance as Shapiro, Kaufman's loyal friend and manager. Gerry Becker's portrayal of Kaufman's stern and disapproving father adds emotional depth to the movie, highlighting the tension between Kaufman's desire for acceptance and his need to be true to himself.

Overall, Man on the Moon is a fascinating and unconventional biopic, capturing the spirit of Kaufman's unique brand of comedy and the highs and lows of his life and career. The film is a must-see for fans of Kaufman and Carrey alike, as well as anyone interested in the history of comedy and entertainment.

Man on the Moon is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 58.