MovieChat Forums > Man on the Moon (1999) Discussion > Cheap insult to Great Gatsby

Cheap insult to Great Gatsby

posted 15 years ago by Binkconn
7 replies | jump to latest

The book is actually really amazing and perceptive, written by an unpretentious American writer, and the movie treats it like stereotypical stuffy literature that college kids would of course be bored senseless by. If only Carey or Kaufmann had a fraction of the intelligence or artistry of Scott Fitzgerald... but when you're a creative caveman by comparison cheap laughs is all you can really expect.

[–] kkJamie 15 years ago

I'm sure he enjoyed the book himself. Otherwise he wouldn't have read it so much.

[–] mordloldad 15 years ago

The gag was that people paid money to see a comedian make them laugh and instead they got Andy Kaufman reading from a book. It wasn't insulting to the book necessarily... He could've been reading from any book and that wouldn't have had any effect on the prank. Often the owners of Improv clubs would let Andy do his act towards the end of the night and he would continue reading until everyone left. The point of it all is that seeing a guy read (regardless of what material they are reading) is boring when you're expecting a night of comedy.

[–] Aliyen 15 years ago

I thought it was kind of odd that he put on a British accent to read an American book, but it was all part of the joke. You shouldn't take it that seriously.

[–] nutsberryfarm 12 years ago

it was great!

Where there's smoke, there's barbecue!

[–] PBemps 15 years ago

the movie treats it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL3Dp6Oh3Fw

In fact I'm certain all of the stuff in the movie is taken from his actual material except for the opening bit. So if you have any complaints about that joke it's directly related to him and you should not be criticizing the film for it.

But either way you seem to be taking it all a little to seriously which is what I suppose something he would have wanted so good job, you do honor to his memory as you've proven he is still creating raw emotion in people to this very day.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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