Monday, September 30, 2013

Adaptation. (2002) ****

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I don’t understand why director Spike Jonze doesn’t make more feature length films. Shorts, videos, and documentaries are all he has really produced since making the brilliant Adaptation. (2002) and almost brilliant Being John Malkovich (1999).  Why won’t Charlie Kaufman and his fictional twin brother Donald write truly original screenplays for Jonze anymore?  It boggles the mind…

Anyway, I guess it’s obvious that I adore both Jonze and Kaufman, as well as their brainchild, Adaptation. Nicolas Cage plays twin brothers Charlie and Donald Kaufman—that’s radaptation-6ight this is a semi-autobiographical film about Kaufman’s struggle to adapt Susan Orlean’s (Meryl Streep) non-fiction book, The Orchid Thief. The premise is that after writing the screenplay for Being John Malkovich, Kaufman is given the assignment of adapting Orlean’s book, but due to his insecurities and writer’s block Kaufman struggles with the project. It doesn’t help that his twin brother Donald is around to annoy him, either.  And, really, how do you write a script about orchids? 

The only truly autobiographical element of Adaptation. is Kaufman’s writer’s block while adapting The Orchid Thief.  The twin brother, a romance between Laroche (Chris Cooper) and Orlean, and one of the strangest drug addictions I have ever seen, are all fictional.  As I write this, I wonder if I am making the film seem confusing or convoluted in some way, and, perhaps I am, but it isn’t.  Without a doubt, it is one of best written movies I have ever seen—and the performances are also stellar. Which, of course, extends my disbelief as to why Jonze and Kaufman don’t make more films together.

Overall, Adaptation. was nominated for four Academy Awards. And, just like Being John Malkovich got short shrift by the Academy regarding a Best Picture nod, so did Adaptation. Freaking Chicago (2002) won Best Picture that year!  My God, all four of the other films nominated (Gangs of New York, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Hours, and The Pianist) were better than Chicago—oh, I’m getting off track here--suffice Chris Cooper Adaptationto say, if your three principal leads get nominated, as well as your screenwriter and his fictional brother, surely you might get a Best Picture look—especially when you were a far superior film to the actual winner! This rant is now over…

Cage, Streep, and Cooper all earned acting nominations.  Cooper won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his quirky portrayal of a delusional, but highly intelligent orchid thief who is haunted by the events of his past.  His interactions with Streep’s New York intellectual/journalist, Susan Orlean, are priceless.  They make an extremely odd couple, but their mutual loneliness and sadadaptation_meryl_streepness draw them to one another.  I particularly found watching Streep get hooked on snorting ghost orchid up her nose to feel happy oddly fascinating.  I’ve seen Streep do some pretty screwed up things in movies—giving kids away to Nazis and Dustin Hoffman and dancing around and singing while wearing overalls—but snorting green flower residue and deciding to kill someone to keep this a secret just aren’t character traits that one would envision being in her wheelhouse.

And, as it is always difficult to play twins—just ask Bette Davis—I believe Nicolas Cage deserves a lot of credit, too.  Sure, at first it’s disconcerting to see him talking to himself—I mean his twin—but once you adjust it is easy to determine when he is playing either Charlie or Adaptation 1Donald.  It helps that each brother had love interests played by two very gifted actresses--Cara Seymour and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention one of the smartest and unique things about Adaptation.—part ojonzekaufmanf the movie takes place on the set of Being John Malkovich.  There are cameos by John Cusack, Catherine Keener, and, of course, John Malkovich.  While most of Adaptation. is fictional, this small element adds a touch of authenticity to the Charlie Kaufman character. 

Overall, I love Adaptation. It is probably in my top 10 of the best films of the last twenty years. Graced by a highly imaginative script and standout performances from every last cast member, Adaptation. is one of those films that I never get tired of watching. Ah, if only Jonze and Kaufman would make more movies like it—preferably together. 

8 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this movie, too. I think I had a smile on my face for much of it, especially when we got to the parts that "Donald Kaufman" wrote. I've sometimes wondered what the real Susan Orlean thought the very first time she saw it.

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    1. That would be a wild conversation, I'm sure. Still, she most probably sold a lot more books because of the movie.

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  2. Kim, I'm crazy about this film and love your write-up - we are so on the same page about it. I'm not a great fan of that many films of "the new millennium" but this is one of its brilliant highlights. Cage and Cooper and Streep are in top form and, as you note, the script is...out of this world. By the way, I read The Orchid Thief and have to admit I've never seen a more (magnificently) bizarre screen adaptation in my life. Genius!

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    1. Kaufman is probably one of the most gifted screenwriters ever. His imaginative mind is genius. Glad you love this film as much as I do!

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  3. Adaptation is a brilliant film... it's really sad that it never really got its due. But, I am quite pleased to finally see a review that does full justice to the Spike Jonze masterful film. Your review tempts me to revisit the film right away. The movie, IMO, also features Cage's last great performance. I too would love to see Jonze and Kaufman collaborate again.

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    1. Yeah, Cage started making a bunch of films with big budgets after this that really didn't do much for me. Jonze and Kaufman are a great pair, and I hope they work together in the years to come.

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  4. Hiya, Kim!
    I love Adaptation and I was just thinking about re-watching it a few weeks ago. I've been a Cage fan for a long time and while I think he went nuts with buying ridiculous things and properties which got him in such a bind with the IRS, I'm glad that he has finally started getting decent film offers again. Have you seen The Frozen Ground yet? It's very good and I hope it's just the beginning for him to get back on top like he was during Adaptation and Leaving Las Vegas. (my favorite of his work)

    Really enjoyed your honest review.
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    1. No, I have not seen The Frozen Ground yet. I'll look for it. Glad you enjoyed the review.

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