Hello, my name is Andy and this is my movie.|Dec. 22, 1999|USA|118 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Drama;History
Description: Andy Kaufman is a struggling performer whose act fails in nightclubs because, while the audience expects comedy, he sings children’s songs and avoids telling traditional jokes. Just as the crowd begins to doubt his talent, his shy “foreign man” character transforms into a rhinestone-clad Elvis impersonator, delivering a spot-on performance. The audience erupts in applause, realizing Kaufman had cleverly deceived them.
Kaufman’s talent catches the attention of agent George Shapiro, who signs him and secures him a role in the television series *Taxi*. Kaufman reluctantly accepts the offer, disliking sitcoms but enticed by the money and exposure. He transforms his “foreign man” character into Latka Gravas, a mechanic on the show. Despite his success, he secretly despises the role and contemplates quitting.
During a nightclub visit, Shapiro encounters a brash and obnoxious lounge singer named Tony Clifton, whom Kaufman insists should guest-star on *Taxi*. Clifton’s crude behavior and appearance shock everyone—until Kaufman reveals that Clifton is actually his alter ego, a character he created with his partner, Bob Zmuda. Once again, Kaufman surprises his audience.
Kaufman’s fame grows with appearances on *Saturday Night Live*, but his unconventional style alienates audiences. During one live performance, he frustrates the crowd by reading *The Great Gatsby* in its entirety. On the set of *Taxi*, he causes chaos as Tony Clifton before being escorted out. Kaufman confesses to Shapiro that he struggles to find ways to entertain, joking that he might “fake my own death or set the theater on fire” to captivate an audience.
Cast director: Miloš Forman
Cast actor: Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Courtney Love, Paul Giamatti, Gerry Becker, Leslie Lyles, George Shapiro, Patton Oswalt, Michael Kelly, Vincent Schiavelli
Original name: Man on the Moon