Adaptation' is about Charlie Kaufman, the author of the screenplay of Being John Malkovich' who is now working on a screenplay based on Susan Orlean's book, The Orchid Thief'. Meanwhile, there is a romantic sub-plot which involves Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep) getting to know the orchid collector in her book, John Laroche (Chris Cooper).
The recent Oscars ceremony is indicative of the acting talent on show in the film (both Nicholas Cage and Meryl Streep were nominated for their roles in the film and Chris Cooper came away from the ceremony as winner of the Best Supporting Actor award). Nicholas Cage gives particularly impressive performances as both Charlie and Donald Kaufman. While Donald is brash and confident and embarks upon writing a screenplay himself, Charlie is suffering from writer's block and is convinced that he is incompetent, unattractive and socially inept. Donald Kaufman is also credited as screenwriter of the film although he does not actually exist in real life.
Those who have watched Being John Malkovich' will not be surprised by the unusual premise for the film, as it is indicative of the eccentric and surreal style of Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman. One flaw of the film for me is that it is hard to empathise with Charlie's frustration and the pressure he feels during his attempts to get his ideas on paper. These feelings are briefly amusing but quickly turn into melodrama. The film is also let down by the weak and baffling ending (a car chase, shoot-out and some alligators). I can only assume that these ideas were Donald Kaufman's!
The recent Oscars ceremony is indicative of the acting talent on show in the film (both Nicholas Cage and Meryl Streep were nominated for their roles in the film and Chris Cooper came away from the ceremony as winner of the Best Supporting Actor award). Nicholas Cage gives particularly impressive performances as both Charlie and Donald Kaufman. While Donald is brash and confident and embarks upon writing a screenplay himself, Charlie is suffering from writer's block and is convinced that he is incompetent, unattractive and socially inept. Donald Kaufman is also credited as screenwriter of the film although he does not actually exist in real life.
Those who have watched Being John Malkovich' will not be surprised by the unusual premise for the film, as it is indicative of the eccentric and surreal style of Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman. One flaw of the film for me is that it is hard to empathise with Charlie's frustration and the pressure he feels during his attempts to get his ideas on paper. These feelings are briefly amusing but quickly turn into melodrama. The film is also let down by the weak and baffling ending (a car chase, shoot-out and some alligators). I can only assume that these ideas were Donald Kaufman's!