Adaptation.

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ron Livingston, Tilda Swinton, Judy Greer, Brian Cox
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Drama
2002

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: A screenwriter (Nicolas Cage) struggles to adapt a novel into a screenplay as it doesn't really have a plot.

Review:

Tim: Ah, another crazy mindbending script by screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Kaufman has made such a name for himself with this odd, unexpected, completely unique films. Adaptation. is yet another instantly memorable film. Unfortunately, the movie as a whole leaves a great deal to be desired. I loved the idea of this movie, but did not care much for the finished project.

The basic idea here is genius. Kaufman was hired to adapt The Orchid Thief into a screenplay. The problem is that the book has no real plot and not a lot happens. This is obviously difficult. As he struggles with writing it, he gets writer's block and eventually comes up with an idea- he'll write a screenplay about himself struggling with writing the screenplay. The writer writes himself into the story. This really is pretty genius, and I love this aspect of the film. Kaufman the writer becomes the character. However, the weirdness doesn't end here. Kaufman also writes about his fictional twin brother, Donald and takes the story in some crazy directions. He blends the real with the imagined in a truly insane script.

I actually really like the casting of Nicolas Cage in this role. Despite much of his career as evidence again him, Cage can be a very good actor. He is in incredible form here, as both Charlie and Donald Kaufman. He plays off himself very well and it's really fun to see two Cages interacting on screen. I liked that part of the film. I also thought Meryl Streep was well cast as the author of the original book. Streep is a fantastic actress, and brings that excellence here. Chris Cooper likewise does a very good job as the orchid thief, John Laroche. Now, Cooper received a great deal of acclaim for his role (complete with missing front teeth). I thought he gave a very strong supporting performance, but it does wane a bit into the ridiculous. Still, Cooper won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, so his performance is worth seeing. It should be noted that Streep and Cage were both nominated for Actin Oscars, but neither won.

So far, this all seems pretty good. The film certainly starts out well, following the unexpected path we know Kaufman's films will go down. However, things really take a crazy turn two-thirds of the way in. I understand why Kaufman did this, but I hated the direction of the movie. He shirks off any semblance of or connection to reality, and spins a ridiculous, absurd conclusion that we're supposed to follow along with. He even mentions throughout the film that he had no idea how to end his screenplay. The crazy, unrealistic ending was just a bit too much for me. I might have been more willing to follow along, but I never really loved the initial hour or so of the film. Yes, it's crazy and heady and original, but I felt somewhat bored with the plot. The movie plods along and we're supposed to be amazed because of the originality of it all. I was not convinced. Yes, it's unique, but it doesn't really hold up as a great movie- especially when you consider the absurd ending.

Look, I love the idea of Adaptation.. I love that there is a writer like Charlie Kaufman creating these insane, original, brilliant stories. I love that in this one, he made himself the main character. However, as a movie and a piece of entertainment, I believe people vastly overrated how good Adaptation. is. Just because Kaufman writes it does not make it a great movie. This is a decent film that could have been much better. I did not love it, I didn't particularly like it, and I would only consider this a decent movie.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Being John Malkovich