Adaptation. Review
by Shannon Patrick Sullivan (shannon AT morgan DOT ucs DOT mun DOT ca)January 20th, 2003
ADAPTATION. (2002) / *** 1/2
Directed by Spike Jonze. Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman, based on the book "The Orchid Thief" by Susan Orlean. Starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper. Running time: 114 minutes. Rated AA for offensive language by the MFCB. Reviewed on January 17th, 2003.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Synopsis: Charlie Kaufman (Cage) is hired to adapt "The Orchid Thief", a book by "New Yorker" contributor Susan Orlean (Streep) about eccentric rare flower collector John Laroche (Cooper). Charlie's personal life is a mess after a falling-out with his friend Amelia (Cara Seymour), whom he secretly loves. To make matters worse, he finds Orlean's book virtually unadaptable. In desperation, he turns to his twin brother Donald (also Cage), a wannabe screenwriter who has wholeheartedly embraced Hollywood formula.
Review: As with "Being John Malkovich", Jonze and Kaufman's "Adaptation" is a bewildering, fascinating thing: a movie in which Big Ideas are centre stage and standard storytelling dynamics play second fiddle. At worst, this inspires a sometimes cold, impersonal atmosphere; at best, it is the kind of movie which engages the audience as much on the intellectual level as on the emotional. Here the conceit is that Kaufman has written the screenplay as though it was a collaboration between an exaggerated version of himself and his fictional twin brother -- who, to add to the confusion, have included themselves as characters. The result is a movie which works on two levels. On the one hand -- the part which stays most true to "The Orchid Thief" -- "Adaptation" is a film about finding the conviction to appreciate the simple beauties in life. On the other, this is a satire of Hollywood storytelling: the invented twin, Donald, has bought into every hoary cliche possible, and his influence has hilarious results. Cage is splendid as the Kaufmans, nicely distinguishing between the two without descending into caricature. Streep's measured performance in early scenes reaps benefits in the final reel. And Cooper is spellbinding as the inimitable John Laroche. "Adaptation" is not a movie for everyone, but those who can buy into its premise will find much to appreciate.
Copyright © 2003 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
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