Man on the Moon 1999

Critics score:
63 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Roger Ebert, At the Movies: What is most wonderful about Man on the Moon, a very good film, is that it remains true to Kaufman's stubborn vision. Read more

Susan Stark, Detroit News: This is a movie that testifies in blisteringly persuasive terms to the intense, particular genius of Jim Carrey. Read more

Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News: Mesmerizing and entertaining. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: A formidable piece of work. Read more

Edward Margulies, Mr. Showbiz: I figured that if anyone could make a flick about the even more objectionable Kaufman, these three were the guys for the job. I was wrong. Read more

Hap Erstein, Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Enormously underwritten and unfunny. Read more

Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times: A brilliant, almost terrifying impersonation. Read more

Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle: The problem with this film is that the filmmakers want Kaufman to emerge as a kind of innocent while their biographical due diligence indicates that Kaufman was a head case. Read more

Steven Rosen, Denver Post: Man on the Moon will be especially interesting for those who like a little TV history with their movies. Read more

Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly: A brilliant, maniacally funny, and dizzying experience. Read more

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail: Superficially clever yet profoundly shallow. Read more

Bob Thomas, Associated Press: The best performance of Carrey's career. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: The crowning performance of Jim Carrey's career. Read more

Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com: A movie that's too conventional to capture Kaufman's insanity and too haphazard, too shapeless, to recapture Kaufman's energy in any meaningful way. Read more

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. Read more

Derek Adams, Time Out: We're constantly kept guessing as to what's real or false. Intriguing. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: All the audience is left with is the impression of a thoroughly obnoxious man you'd never want to meet in real life. Read more

J. Hoberman, Village Voice: The filmmakers don't even attempt to give Kaufman an inner life. Read more

Stephen Hunter, Washington Post: This is less a story than a series of exhibits. Read more