The Ottawa Citizen from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada • 53

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1999 C17 ARTS THE OTTAWA CITIZEN Carrey: Comic roles within comic If roles Aim Vof ic the film that is so unhip that it simply point is part of that same self-referential hall of mirrors that we call popular culture. Tonv Clifton is the comic ex has to be intentional. 1 his leads to a confrontation on the David Letterman show, another irony-within-an-irony scene in Man on the Moon, given that Letterman is also a performer who seems to be playing at being what he is rather than actually being it. Man on the Moon is energized by Jim Carrey's brilliant impersonation of the comedian. But a funny thing happens as the film goes on.

Carrey seems less and less like Kaufman and more and more like Jim Carrey. We can see the evolution as the puffy-faced Kaufman slowly begins to resemble the lean-jawed Carrey, it's like a mini-course in modern comic influence, with Carrey bursting out of the Kaufman pupa as today's darling butterfly of irony. In some ways, Man on the Moon is like the 1980 movie The Stunt Man, which fooled us with movie tricks even as it showed us how they were done. Kaufman was a one-man special effect, a human coup d'oeil. He made a career of making people ask, "Is it an act?" The answer is that yes, it is, but that makes us none the wiser about Andy Kaufman.

The movie doesn't explain him fully because he was inexplicable. Tony Clifton, it says in the credits, appears as himself. He's still going strong, showing up in Kaufman's movies and interrupting press conferences and in general acting like a bothersome idiot. Clifton is only part of Andy Kaufman's comic legacy. You can see the rest any day, on any Continued from page C14 As Man on the Moon makes clear, i Andy Kaufman was the first of the new school of performance-art come- dians, the post-modern personalities who use as their material the fact that are comedians.

For Andy Kauf-Iman, the joke was that he was a bad comedian: his lip-synching of the Mighty Mouse theme, while standing awkwardly in front of a child's record player, is his signature piece. It is fun- ny. if it is funny, because it is so unfun- -ny. i In some ways, Kaufman is the spiri-; tual comic godfather of Jim Carrey, whose comic characters such as Ace Ventura, The Mask, or the Cable Guy are similarly humorously irritating, although much more physically graceful and creative. Carrey's hu- mour is the humour of insincerity.

His "film characters are people who are endlessly pretending to be someone else: comic roles within comic roles that, once peeled away, reveal other comic roles beneath them, a psychological onion first peeled by Andy Kaufman. In his previous movie, Car-rey played Truman Burbank, the only person in the world who didn't know everything was a performance. In Man -on the Moon, he plays the flip side of 'that conceit: he is the only person in the world who is aware of it. Andy Kaufman made an art of playing to the band, and Jim Carrey is one of his pro-' tegees. Man on the Moon opens with Car-rey-as-Kaufman addressing the movie aggeration of the perceived misanthropy of some lounge singers; a satire by a performer who gets to be aggressively nauseating while doing it.

Kaufman's other form of humour is the practical joke, which is an earlier form of the same instinct to mock those who see things without irony's duality. In an unbroadcast TV special, Kaufman wanted to have the picture flip vertically so viewers would think there was something wrong with their TV sets; when the special was cancelled by the network, an artistically wounded Kaufman took a job as a bus-boy in a delicatessen and had to be talked back into show business. By this time, he and Zmuda (Paul Gi-amatti) have another inspiration. Kaufman sees that much of what he is doing has its parallel in professional wrestling, where role-playing and driving an audience into a frenzy of anger and frustration is an established form. So Kaufman becomes a wrestler villain, challenging women to fight him.

He taunts them and called himself the inter-gender champion. He even proposed to his girlfriend Lynn Marguiles (Courtney Love) through a wrestling match. The gag appears to go too far when Kaufman is challenged by professional Jerry Lawler (playing himself), who is introduced by the ring announcer as "the most popular athlete in the history of Memphis, Tennessee," one of those cornball expository touches in ruoicT rm icrH RFI I CORNERS ANGLICAN 3861 Richmond Rd. call 829-1826 rkt Dec. 24, 7:30 pm, Holy Eucharist gj 10:30 pm Carols, Holy Eucharist Dec.

25 9:30 am Holy Eucharist Dec. 26 9:00 am, Holy Eucharist 10113711 1 -f 1 -1 1, audience. "Hello," he says. "I am Andy and I would like to thank you for coming to my movie. I wish it was better." He then announces that, having cut out all of the "baloney" from the film, it is in fact over, and the credits roll.

It's just a joke, of course, but it's the only post-modern touch used by director Milos Forman in what is otherwise a very conventional biopic. Man on the Moon traces Kaufman's career from baffling stand-up comic in empty bars to famous TV star to premature death (at 35) from lung cancer. It's told with all the movie biography cliches in place: the wildly applauding fans at the height of his career contrasting with the drunken few at the beginning, laughing, it is made clear, because they think Kaufman is simply stupid, rather than laughing because they know this is ironic. As with the Zmuda press conference, it is difficult to know if Forman's decision is an elaborate put-on a version of a Hollywood movie that is conventional on purpose in a hip way or if it is simply done because Kaufman was so bizarre that it requires a simple narrative framework to set it off. Either way, Kaufman catches the eye of agent Harry Shapiro (Danny DeVi-to, Kaufman's real-life co-star on Taxi), who "gets'; most of what the comedian is doing when, for instance, he tells old jokes in an awkward and stilted manner my wife.

Please take that is read as humorously amateurish by the squares in the audience and as subtly satirical by the hip few. Dominion Chalmers Cooper St. at O'Connor 235-5143 ine Kev. ur. Alien v-nim-iuu The Rev.

Brian Wilkie Director of Music: Mr. Jim Brough Have a Blessed Christinas! CHRISTMAS EVE 7:30 p.m. "Let's go to Bethlehem" Dr. Allen Churchill CHRISTMAS DAY 10:00 a.m. "Love came down at Christmas" -The Rev.

Brian Wilkie Ample Parking. Loop System Christmas Eve Family Service and Holy Communion 7:30 p.m. McLEOD-STEWARTON UNITED CHURCH 507 Bank Street (at Argyle) Minister: the Rev. Bill Jay Organist: Elaine Graham V'Who Needs You are welcome! Church of St. Columba 24 SandridRe Road (Manor Park), 749-5103 Friday, 24 December 1 999 Christmas Eve Service, 9:30 p.m., beginning with a Carol Sing at 9:1 5 p.m.

Saturday, 25 December 1 999: "Birthday for Jesus" celebration at 10:30 a.m. join us for a celebration of through music ana arama. PARKDALE UNITED CHURCH 429 Parkdale Ave. GUIslone) Senior Minister: The Kev. Dr.

Anthony B.iilcy Suit Associate: Susann Hoilkin Organist: Desmond llassrll CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES DECEMBER 24, 1999 CHRISTMAS FAMILY SERVICE PAGEANT at 7:00 p.m. SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION CANDLELIGHT SERVICE at 11:00 p.m. "And Now For The Christ Gifts" Rev. Ur. Anthony D.

Bailey t'hurth St himl and Nursery AinIiu I iMif sylfin H.imp Ri'l'iiK in Mus(iltal l(il A Wl I IMI to All PARKWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 10 CHESTERTON, Ntl'lAN, TEL.2ir (MH FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 1 1:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service Ur1 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 1 1 :30 p.m. New Year's Eve Communion r-f Service These nrrvhw arc In addition to our regular 9:00 a.m. and 1 1:00 a.m.

Sund.iv Servim CTi in) RpSSl The Church of St John the Evangelist Elgin Street at Somerset Christmas Services Friday, Dec. 24 4:00 p.m. Children's Service (children under six especially welcome) 1 0:00 p.m. Carol-singing with the choir 10:30 p.m. The First Eucharist of Christmas Saturday, Dec.

25 1 0:1 5 a.m. Holy Eucharist with blessing of the creche Sunday, Dec. 26 8:00 and 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist A funny thing happens as the film goes on. Carrey seems less and less like Kaufman and more and more like Jim Carrey.

It's like a mini-course in modern comic influence, with Carrey bursting out of the Kaufman pupa as today's darling butterfly of irony. This double reading is the very definition of irony, of course; for the rest of us, we have the DeVito character to explain, "You're insane. But you might also be brilliant." (Seeing Kaufman's single-minded devotion to Tony Clifton, you begin to wonder about the fine line between role-playing and all-out schizophrenia.) Once Kaufman becomes a cult hit, he is offered the Taxi role Fonzie: the crazy breakout character they put on lunchboxes," Shapiro explains), and we meet Tony Clifton, who strolls onto the stage in a pink tuxedo, sunglasses, a pot belly, and body language that seems to cry out for a tire iron in the chops. Clifton is aggressively nauseating: "I think you're sitting in cottage cheese," he says to a woman in the audience. "Excuse me, that's your ass." We are appalled until we understand that this is also a put-on.

Its FIRST UNITARIAN CONGREGATION Dec. 24: 5 p.m. Family Candlelight service Rev. Elizabeth Benjamin 11 p.m. Traditional Candlelight Service Dec.

26: 1 0:30 a.m. Wasn't esus a Unitarian? Ann Cioppa, Ministerial Intern Ian. 2: 1 0:30 a.m. Jelly on Our Fingers millennium Ddsn nc. tel: 725-1066 JJ web: http:www.uuottawa.orfi DEUTSCHE EVANGELISCHE MARTIN LUTHER KIRCHE 499 Preston At Carting Av.

Tel. 233-1671 Iutherf9cybefus.ca Frank Busching. Pastor Dec. 24, Heiligabend 3:30 pm Family service, bilingual 5 p.m. Christvesper mit Musik (Deutsch) 1 1 p.m.

Candlelight Service (English) Dec. 25, 10 a.m. Christmas Service with Holy Communion. In Canada's Capital THE LIFE CENTRE 2314 Innes Road, Cloucesler (613) 834-6585 (53 Love Never Fails HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FRIDAY, DEC. 24 7:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service Men's Choir SUNDAY DEC. 26 10:00 a.m. Family Service (NO Evening Service) FRIDAY, DEC. 31 New Year's Eve Millennium Party WISHING YOU A BLESSED CHRISTMAS HAPPY NEW i Christ Church Cathedral I Sparks St.

at Branson 236-91 49 http:www.otlawa.anglican.cacathedral CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES Dec. 24 7:00 p.m. Family Service 11:00 p.m. Festal Choral Eucharist CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES: Dec. 25 8:30 a.m.

Said Eucharist 10:30 a.m. Festal Choral Eucharist CHRISTMAS I Dec. 26 10:30 a.m. Sung Eucharist (No Evensong) NEW YEAR'S EVE Dec. 31 6:00 p.m.

1 a.m. Parish Millennium Party (Refreshments and entertainment) NEWYEAR'SDAY-Jan. 1 12 noon Festal Chroal Eucharist 2 4 p.m. The Bishop's Levee -Cathedral Hall rn SUNDAY JANUARY OJ 4:30 p.m. Epiphany Carol Se 9 Service Snuthminstcr United Church 15 Aylmcr Avenue at Hank Street The Rev.

James Christie Staff Associate: Harbara haslon Organist Choir Director: Sandra Dean Christmas Kve Services 4:30 p.m. Family Service 10:30 m. Communion Service December 26 10:30 a.m. Worship "What To ir You're Not in Times Square Audio I nop Svstem, Ramp Greenbelt Baptist Church 839 Shefford Road. Olouceator 824-1 183 You nre wnrmly Invited to oln us for a Family Candlelltfttt Chrl.tmai Ee Sertlce on December S4th at TiOO p.m.

at our Worship Centre. Have a Blessed Christmas! I WihhIiiiHi' Ncirlli ol 70 1114 MimuUK im.ni'l Sonioi Minister: Kiv. lack An hilwlil CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE Dec. 24: 7:00 p.m., Chrislmas tve Candlelight Service Dec. 26: 10:30 a.m.

Morning Worship Only Per. 31: 1 1:00 m. Walrhnmhl Service ERSKINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 343 Branson 235-3545 Minister: Rev. C. Petligrcw, M.A., B.D.

Christmas Eve Carols and r-Candlelight service at 7:30 p.m. All welcome ST. BARNABAS Ken! and James Streets The Rev. Fr. Frank W.

Kirby CHRISTMAS EVE Friday Dec. 24 10:30 p.m. Festive Organ Music 11:00 p.m. Procession, Blessing of Creche and Solemn High Mass CHRISTMAS DAY Saturday Dec. 25 10:30 a.m.

Solemn Mass in this is love, that Cod loved us and sent his Son Alta Vista Baptist Church Exalting Christ and Loving People 887 Canterbury Avenue 733-7207 We extend a warm invitation to experience the true spirit of Christmas this holiday season. Join our December 24th: cji Christmas Eve XUf Candlelight Service 7:00 p.m. and our December 3 1 st Special Program. Phone us for details. A WARM WELCOME AWAITS YOU! Sunday Worship 1 1 a.m.

and 6:30 p.m. Celebrate Christmas at ST ANDREW'S CHURCH Corner of Kent and Wellington Christmas Eve Pageant 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 1 1:00 p.m. Christmas Day 11:00 a.m. Christmas Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Infant Baptism Festive Food For All Director of Music Mr. Thomas Annand Minister: The Rev. Andrew J.R. Johnston loin OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION Serving Hull's Anglophone Roman Catholic Community since I952 Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Liturgy 7:00 p.m.

Dec. 25 Children's Christmas Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Jan. 01 New Year's Liturgy 10:00 a.m. Everyone Welcome! 189 ArchambeaulL Hull P.Q.

777-5931 St Peter's Lutheran Sparks St. at Bay 233-9911 Opposite Garden of the Provinces The Rev. Dr. Barton Beglo, Pastor December 24 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 1 1 :00 p.m.

Worship with Holy Communion It tn nn a.m. WorshiD with Holy Communion 'i. Everyone Welcome ST FOURTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH (Fourth at Bank) Minister: Rev. Ernest Cox. B.A., M.Div.

December 24, JA Family Candlelight rti(V Christmas Eve Service at Christmas Iw D.m. Candlelight Service JQ METROPOLITAN BIBLE CHURCH "iivo Christmas Ive Candlelight Services 6:00 8:00 p.m. We warmly invite you to our Saviour birth 453 Bank St. (At Gladstone), Ottawa 238-8182 Church website: www.met-church.org CHAPEL RIDGE FREE METHODIST CHURCH 5660 Flewellyn Road, Kanata 831-1024 fitte Ganilfelujhl entice con o.ou p. III.

Special Guest Speaker 3 Mary Elsie Fletcher, Director of 2 Ministry Advancement for the Free Methodist Church In Canada St. Matthew's Anglican Church 217 First Regular Sunday Services Eucharist: 8 a.m. 10 a.m. Evensong: 2nd 4th Sundays -i Christmas Services Dec. 24 7:00 p.m.

Family Service (Pageant) 11:00 p.m. Midnight Choral Eucharist Dec. 25- 10:00 a.m. Chorat Eucharist Dec. 26 a.m.

Choral lifW Eucharist Rector: The Rev. Desire Stedman (613) 234-4024 Candlelight 7:30 mm A 11:00 KNOX Anglican Catholic Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary 289 Spencer (dt Carleton) 722-9139 489-2538 233 3915 Friday, Christmas Eve Procession, Blessing of Creche, and High Mass 10 p.m. Saturday, Christmas Day 8:30 a.m. Matins I 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 1 ST.

ALBAN ANGLICAN CHURCH (at the corner ol King Edward and Dal) The Rev. George Sinclair 235-0596 DECEMBER 14 2:00 pm Communion Scrvtc 7:00 pm CandVlkihl Communion Servtc 9:00 pm CandVUuht Choral Communion DECEMBER IS 10:30 am Communion Svlc Everyone welcome! p.m. Candlelight Service PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Elgin at Lisgar Please Join Us! All Saints Lutheran Worship Schedule Church (elcic) Sr. Joseph's Parish I Avenue I'iimI, (nTuwii, Ontario KIN oNK with Holy Communion 10:00 a.m Christmas Season December 24 December 25 December 26 December 31 January 2 Jammry 6 Worship Service livening Healing New Yeurfc live Worship Service fipiphany Service Cmullclight Service hornle Service with Communion 10:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m.

10:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. (oi.j; i.wwi Nvwiii Christmas Liturgy Schedule 1909 Christina Liturgy I ritlny. DhtmiIm 24 8:30 p.m.

Christina live Miihh I riila'v. DomnlMT 24 1 1:00 p.m. ChrlsimaH live Manx Salunlav. DrccmlM-r 25 1 a.m. ChriH.matt DuyMusn Service Worship Service with Communion Vespers Child Van AwdaHe Pustor Cireg jos.