Adaptation Movie Review 2002

Quirky but highly entertaining comedy about blocked L.A. screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Cage), hired to adapt author Susan Orlean's (Streep) book "The Orchid Thief." The book recounts the story of John Laroche (Cooper), one of a breed of orchid-obsessed con men who schemes to steal the desirable plants from the Florida Everglades. At a loss as to how to treat the story, the neurotic Charlie becomes obsessed with Orlean, gazing at her picture while his lesser twin brother Donald (also Cage), breezily announces the sales of his own million dollar screenplay, which he wrote after one seminar. Meanwhile, Orlean travels to Florida to interview the gap-toothed Laroche and begins her own minor obsession. Plot twists keep you on your toes right down to the surprise ending. Cage is at his best as the twin writers, while Streep shows off her comic chops and Cooper turns in a career-making performance. Deftly directed by Jonze.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 114 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Writers, Twins, Florida, Showbiz Comedies, Behind the Scenes, Words Come to Life

Screenplay

Charlie Kaufman

Cast

Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton, Cara Seymour, Brian Cox, Judy Greer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ron Livingston, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jay Tavare, Litefoot, Gary Farmer, Peter Jason, Curtis Hanson

Cinematography

Lance Acord

Director

Spike Jonze

Music

Carter Burwell

Other

Drew Kunin, Eric Zumbrunnen, Peter Andrus, Casey Storm, K.K. Barrett

Producer

Edward Saxon, Jonathan Demme, Vincent Landay, Intermedia Films, Clinica Estetico, Magnet, Columbia Pictures

Awards

Oscars 2002: Support. Actor (Cooper); British Acad. 2002: Adapt. Screenplay; Golden Globes 2003: Support. Actor (Cooper), Support. Actress (Streep); L.A. Film Critics 2002: Support. Actor (Cooper); Natl. Bd. of Review 2002: Screenplay, Support. Actor (Cooper); N.Y. Film Critics 2002: Screenplay.