Adaptation (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
1 Story, 4 lives, and the passion that binds them. Such is 'Adaptation', a dramedy directed by Spike Jonze. Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) turns to his less talented but easygoing twin brother Donald (Cage again) for help when struggling to complete his new movie screenplay. Their lives become intertwined with author Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep) & an orchid poacher named John Laroche (Chris Cooper) in one of the most original & bizarre films to come along this year.
Charlie Kaufman has taken on the task of writing a screen adaptation of Susan Orlean's new non-fiction book, 'The Orchid Thief'. The book is based on the life of eccentric John Laroche; an exotic plant specialist who clones rare orchids & sells them to collectors. He's from the swamps of sunny Florida. While Charlie struggles to adapt the book at hand, his twin, Donald, is writing scripts like it's nothing. Charlie's main problem is that the book lacks a certain dramatic punch line (it's hard to have one when it's about orchids). And it doesn't help that at the same time he's trying to adapt the book, he's going through a severe mid-life crisis. He knows he's awkward, he knows he's having a rough time. Heck, Charlie can't even hold a steady girlfriend. But he ALSO knows that his boisterous, and less-talented brother could trump him in adapting screenplays AND achieving fame/fortune. He'd be happy for his brother, but also feel miserable for himself.
The main action of the film revolves around the twins. But parallel to this plotline, we also bear witness to Susan Orlean's unorthodox research while writing the book (in the first place). She's rich, intelligent, and a tad uppity. So when she first meets a grimy John Laroche in the Florida backwoods, she's highly unimpressed. But after some time together, she actually falls for the orchid hunter. Flipping back & forth across time (3 yrs. prior, and 'now', when the adaptation coincides with Susan & John's romance) things spiral out of control for everybody involved. And in a slightly indulgent segment (both pertaining and NOT pertaining to this film), we, the audience, are transported back to the set of Spike Jonze's Being John Malkovich (seeing John Malkovich & Catherine Keener cameos).
It is hard to properly explain the general plot points of this film without seeing it. What I CAN say is that it's really, really great. Yes, it's a tad offbeat for the masses. But you throw in Nicolas Cage & Meryl Streep, and the fans will flock no matter what. The film gets a bit chaotic near the end. Some will lose interest, but some will only lock themselves in more so (like me). Adaptation's structure offers multiple storylines, leaps in character arcs, and whimsy. If you can survive the twists & turns, you're sure to be entertained. Even when situations take a grim turn, there's still comedy to be found.
The dialogue is crisp, engaging, & funny. Cage is at his very neurotic best. Streep is superb as the sophisticated woman who thinks she knows who she is, but surprises herself with some life-altering trials & tribulations. And Chris Cooper is magnificent as Laroche; a man who doesn't try too hard at anything, but has the world in his hands. All of these characters are seeking 'passion'. Charlie may be too far gone. Laroche has his orchids. And Susan had only recently realized that she 'needed' to be passionate about something. If they stop caring what other people think, maybe they can start enjoying their lives? Maybe.
Charlie Kaufman has taken on the task of writing a screen adaptation of Susan Orlean's new non-fiction book, 'The Orchid Thief'. The book is based on the life of eccentric John Laroche; an exotic plant specialist who clones rare orchids & sells them to collectors. He's from the swamps of sunny Florida. While Charlie struggles to adapt the book at hand, his twin, Donald, is writing scripts like it's nothing. Charlie's main problem is that the book lacks a certain dramatic punch line (it's hard to have one when it's about orchids). And it doesn't help that at the same time he's trying to adapt the book, he's going through a severe mid-life crisis. He knows he's awkward, he knows he's having a rough time. Heck, Charlie can't even hold a steady girlfriend. But he ALSO knows that his boisterous, and less-talented brother could trump him in adapting screenplays AND achieving fame/fortune. He'd be happy for his brother, but also feel miserable for himself.
The main action of the film revolves around the twins. But parallel to this plotline, we also bear witness to Susan Orlean's unorthodox research while writing the book (in the first place). She's rich, intelligent, and a tad uppity. So when she first meets a grimy John Laroche in the Florida backwoods, she's highly unimpressed. But after some time together, she actually falls for the orchid hunter. Flipping back & forth across time (3 yrs. prior, and 'now', when the adaptation coincides with Susan & John's romance) things spiral out of control for everybody involved. And in a slightly indulgent segment (both pertaining and NOT pertaining to this film), we, the audience, are transported back to the set of Spike Jonze's Being John Malkovich (seeing John Malkovich & Catherine Keener cameos).
It is hard to properly explain the general plot points of this film without seeing it. What I CAN say is that it's really, really great. Yes, it's a tad offbeat for the masses. But you throw in Nicolas Cage & Meryl Streep, and the fans will flock no matter what. The film gets a bit chaotic near the end. Some will lose interest, but some will only lock themselves in more so (like me). Adaptation's structure offers multiple storylines, leaps in character arcs, and whimsy. If you can survive the twists & turns, you're sure to be entertained. Even when situations take a grim turn, there's still comedy to be found.
The dialogue is crisp, engaging, & funny. Cage is at his very neurotic best. Streep is superb as the sophisticated woman who thinks she knows who she is, but surprises herself with some life-altering trials & tribulations. And Chris Cooper is magnificent as Laroche; a man who doesn't try too hard at anything, but has the world in his hands. All of these characters are seeking 'passion'. Charlie may be too far gone. Laroche has his orchids. And Susan had only recently realized that she 'needed' to be passionate about something. If they stop caring what other people think, maybe they can start enjoying their lives? Maybe.