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Adaptation. (2002) 7.7
Ratings:
7.7/10 from 134,863 users
Metascore: 83/100
Reviews: 706 user | 237 critic | 40 from Metacritic.com A lovelorn screenwriter becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean for the screen. Director:Spike Jonze |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Nicolas Cage | ... | ||
| Tilda Swinton | ... | ||
| Meryl Streep | ... | ||
| Chris Cooper | ... | ||
| Jay Tavare | ... | ||
| Litefoot | ... |
Russell
(as G. Paul Davis)
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| Roger Willie | ... | ||
| Jim Beaver | ... | ||
| Cara Seymour | ... | ||
| Doug Jones | ... | ||
| Stephen Tobolowsky | ... |
Ranger Steve Neely
(scenes deleted)
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| Gary Farmer | ... | ||
| Peter Jason | ... | ||
| Gregory Itzin | ... |
Prosecutor
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| Curtis Hanson | ... |
Orlean's Husband
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|
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
While his latest movie Being John Malkovich (1999) is in production, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is hired by Valerie Thomas to adapt Susan Orlean's non-fiction book "The Orchid Thief" for the screen. Thomas bought the movie rights before Orlean wrote the book, when it was only an article in The New Yorker. The book details the story of rare orchid hunter John Laroche, whose passion for orchids and horticulture made Orlean discover passion and beauty for the first time in her life. Charlie wants to be faithful to the book in his adaptation, but despite Laroche himself being an interesting character in his own right, Charlie is having difficulty finding enough material in Laroche to fill a movie, while equally not having enough to say cinematically about the beauty of orchids. At the same time, Charlie is going through other issues in his life. His insecurity as a person doesn't allow him to act upon his feelings for Amelia Kavan, who is interested in him as a man. And Charlie's twin ... Written by Huggo
Taglines:
From the creator of Being John Malkovich, comes the story about the creator of Being John Malkovich. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for language, sexuality, some drug use and violent images | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
14 February 2003 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
The Orchid Thief See more »Filming Locations:
Los Angeles Center Studios - 450 S. Bixel Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »Box Office
Budget:
$19,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$384,478 (USA) (6 December 2002)Gross:
$89,971 (Hong Kong) (13 June 2003)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (TV)Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Charlie Kaufman: [voiceover] Do I have an original thought in my head? My bald head. Maybe if I were happier, my hair wouldn't be falling out. Life is short. I need to make the most of it. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I'm a walking cliché. I really need to go to the doctor and have my leg checked. There's something wrong. A bump. The dentist called again. I'm way overdue. If I stop putting things off, I would be happier. All I do is sit on my fat ass. If my ass wasn't fat I would ...
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(uncredited)
Written by Gary Bonner and Alan Gordon
Performed by Nicolas Cage
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Donald refers to "Flowers for Algernon" as a film about flowers (although Donald admits that he had never seen the film). Charlie tells Donald that "Flowers for Algernon" was neither about flowers nor a film. While Charlie is completely right that "Flowers for Algernon" is not about flowers, he is only technically correct that it is not a movie; when the novel was adapted into a film in 1968, it was retitled Charly (1968). Cliff Robertson won an Academy Award for Best Actor for playing the title character. A TV remake of Flowers for Algernon (2000) was made 30 years later. See more »Goofs
When Susan talks to John in her hotel room, the cord that runs out of her phone is clearly seen. But when the conversation continues as Susan lies on the floor, the cord is gone. See more »Quotes
[first lines]Charlie Kaufman: [voiceover] Do I have an original thought in my head? My bald head. Maybe if I were happier, my hair wouldn't be falling out. Life is short. I need to make the most of it. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I'm a walking cliché. I really need to go to the doctor and have my leg checked. There's something wrong. A bump. The dentist called again. I'm way overdue. If I stop putting things off, I would be happier. All I do is sit on my fat ass. If my ass wasn't fat I would ...
See more »
Crazy Credits
"We're all one thing, Lieutenant. That's what I've come to realize. Like cells in a body. 'Cept we can't see the body. The way fish can't see the ocean. And so we envy each other. Hurt each other. Hate each other. How silly is that? A heart cell hating a lung cell." - Cassie from THE THREE See more »Soundtracks
Happy Together(uncredited)
Written by Gary Bonner and Alan Gordon
Performed by Nicolas Cage
See more »
"Adaptation" is an off-the-wall film with a startling second half. Overall, the film is darkly comic, but viewers get an unexpected dose of movie action and violence before everything is said and done.
It's fair to say that there is a fair amount of violence in the film, and even when you know it's coming, you're still caught off guard. Spike Jonze is merciless in this regard. Some of the scenes are incredibly graphic, in fact.
There is a certain adolescent male tone to the film (the violence + sexual fantasy + masturbation). This is partially due to characterization and partially due to the director's own aesthetic and perspective. It's not a bad thing, necessarily, either. It just feels as if an unassuming (white male) kid who grew up thinking a lot about girls and watching movies where stuff blowed up made this film... See it and you'll know what I'm saying.
The script is crazy. Absolutely zany. Akin to "Being John Malkovich" really. Fortunately, this well gives opportunity for Nic Cage, Meryl Streep, and Chris Cooper to really be free with their art.
Cage has a difficult role, portraying two very different identical twin brothers. Cage is at the emotional core of the film. If his performance doesn't resonate, the film doesn't work. I thought Cage was excellent. And that the script really gives him some wonderful, challenging material to work with. His first scene with Tilda Swinton (looking gorgeous!) is excellent.
Meryl Streep...well, what can be said. She's fantastic. She exudes a tiredness and connectedness and hopelessness and sadness, evolving the character brilliantly over the course of the film.
Similarly, Chris Cooper brings a humanity to the role of the Orchad Thief, really grounding the narrative and making it all believable. Again, he's given a brilliant opening scene and he works wonders with it. Throughout, he is believably arrogant, lonely, vulnerable, and just plain real. Cooper's performance is as rich as any other I've seen this year; truly, truly sublime.
"Adaptation" is certainly not for everyone. If you're looking for something starkly different and simmering with originality, give this film a try, though. Amidst some cloying self-referential clap-trap, there are actually some really freshing film moments.