BBB
(out of 5)
Shallow biopic of controversial comedian Andy Kaufman, most famous for his role as Latka on Taxi. Jim Carrey is brilliant as Kaufman (and all his alter egos), who was himself considered a genius by those who understood him well enough, but the script by the writing team of Larry Karaszewksi and Scott Alexander (Ed Wood, The People Vs. Larry Flynt) makes no serious attempt to get into Kaufman’s private life or his head, leaving the film limp and unmoving. Director Milos Forman (who also directed Flynt) doesn’t seem all that committed to the project, and wastes the talent of both his star and wonderful leading lady Courtney Love (as Kaufman’s longtime girlfriend), while Danny DeVito stands out in a supporting role.
Universal Pictures, Mutual Film Company, Jersey Films, Cinehaus, Shapiro/West Productions, Tele München Fernseh Produktionsgesellschaft, British Broadcasting Corporation, Marubeni, Toho-Towa
United Kingdom/Germany/Japan/USA, 1999
Directed by Milos Forman
Screenplay by Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Cinematography by Anastas N. Michos
Produced by Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher
Music by R.E.M.
Production Design by Patrizia von Brandenstein
Costume Design by Jeffrey Kurland
Film Editing by Adam Boome, Lynzee Klingman, Christopher Tellefsen
