Adaptation (2002)
To say that "Adaptation" is a masterful
script is a complete understatement. This is a script
so courageous, so fresh and new, so stunning in its
complexity yet perfect in its simplicity that it ushers
in a new era of film, that of the scriptwriter as
filmmaker. For what "The Player" did for filmmaking,
"Adaptation" surely does for the screenwriter.
Of course, we'd expect nothing less
of Charlie Kaufman, the apparent genius behind "Being
John Malkovich." Kaufman, working with director Spike
Jonze, has created films that test exactly what film
and story can be about. Blurring the lines of reality
with film and celebrity, Kaufman offers pointed and
insightful commentary on the modern American human
condition. His work is more than entertaining and
clever, its important, and "Adaptation" is another
clear example of that.
By now, the premise of "Adaptation"
is legendary. Kaufman, assigned to adapt the novel
"The Orchid Thief" by New Yorker reporter Susan Orlean,
struggles at length with the project only to write
himself and this struggle to adapt the book into the
screenplay. It's a creative, troubling, interesting
and fresh Mobius strip of a script that works on so
many different layers at once the viewer almost needs
crib notes. Even the title has more than one implication.
Be assured that Kaufman takes incredible
liberties with the truth here but this too is simply
a continual insight into the way a screenplay is written.
I won't spoil what is real and what is not here. Much
of that becomes obvious as the film unspools. Still
more will be revealed by other authors and film critics
(as this film will be written about for years to come).
Suffice it to say that one viewing of the film will
never be enough and after seeing it, the viewer will
want to read all he can find out about the script.
That's how revolutionary and unique it is.
Director Spike Jonze has already
proved his worth many times over behind the camera
and here is no exception. Using actor Nicolas Cage
to play both Charlie and his twin brother, Donald,
Jonze must utilize numerous effects and photography
tricks to get the story on the screen. It never looks
false, not for one instance. And all this trickery
and imaginative effects usage never once negates from
the film or spotlights the filmmaking more than the
story. Jonze is incredibly honest to the script and
treats it and the characters as the true focal points
here. He deserves as much kudos as Kaufman for his
work on the film.
The acting too is simply brilliant.
Cage is a force to be reckoned with as he gets his
best acting assignment since "Leaving Las Vegas."
Meryl Streep is simply exceptional as the writer of
the novel, Susan Orlean. Orlean's story here mirrors
Kaufman's and Streep has as much subtle nuance and
hidden emotion to bring to the piece as Cage. Both
of these actors do simply stunning work here. Streep
too hasn't had a role this interesting and meaty in
a long time. Her work here makes her appearance in
"The Hours" seem like child's play.
But, alas, it is Chris Cooper who
steals this film. Cooper indeed plays a great character
and one whose honesty, purity and sense of humor permeates
every moment in the film. This is an award winning
performance and fans of Coop can look forward to seeing
him taking home plaques and statuettes for several
months to come.
"Adaptation" is simply one of the
most brilliant films you will ever see... again and
again.
Note:
Also with Tilda Swinton, Brian Cox,
Maggie Gyllenhall, and Curtis Hanson.
Jonathan Demme is a producer. Score
by Carter Burwell.
Many references to "Being John Malkovich"
appear in the film.
The film is dedicated "In Memory
of Donald Kaufman" and a quote from his script "The
3" appears.
Orlean has a website at susanorlean.com.
A cursory look at it found that she is working to
promote the movie there, so she must be comfortable
with how it portrays her as a character.
