Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper
Directed by: Spike Jonze

One can't discuss this movie without first discussing its screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman. Kaufman also wrote the screenplay for Being John Malkovich, the really weird and fun 1999 movie about...being John Malkovich. Anyway, in Adaptation, Cage plays Kaufman, as well as Charlie's twin brother, Donald. Charlie is charged with adapting the book The Orchid Thief into a movie. This is a virtually impossible task. The content of the book is such that is does not lend itself to adaptation, but he nevertheless has to do this.

We get to know Charlie as a pathetic, neurotic man who's very self-conscious. We see him on the set of Being John Malkovich, worrying. We see him at his typewriter, worrying. We see him at meetings, worrying. Meanwhile, his brother, Donald, suddenly decides to take up screenwriting as well. He attends all sorts of seminars and spouts industry talk, all to the horror of Charlie. Yet while recycling existing ideas and writing a derivative script, Donald becomes more successful than Charlie. This makes Charlie worry more. Despite his brother's success, Charlie vows not to adapt The Orchid Thief into a violent action pic. By the end, though, you'll see how it all works out.

This is not a movie for everyone. If you know a thing or two about movies and the writing process (when will I finish my screenplay?), then you'll appreciate this movie as the best piece of work out there about writer's block. If you're not interested in movies and the writing process, then this movie will totally bored and/or confuse you. The ending alone may make you dislike the movie, but I found it's very fitting. Plus, Nick Cage's dual performances are great. Just by body language, we can tell if he's Donald or Charlie. Excellent performances all around and sharp writing make this an excellent little movie for the movie buff. I was so absorbed that I was on the edge of my seat, which is odd at a movie like this. For me, this was a definite movie outing, but for most it'll have to be a rental to decide whether you like it. In any case, I can't wait to see Kaufman's next script on the big screen, George Clooney's Montreal-shot Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. See you there.

Fun fact: Charlie Kaufman used to write for the sadly short-lived Dana Carvey Show.

DroopyMcC
Queen

Be heard! Leave a message on the itoop bulletin board.