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All-Reviews.com Movie/Video Review
Adaptation
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  out of 4
Review by Susan Granger
3½ stars out of 4
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If you were intrigued by the existential black comedy "Being John
Malkovich," this is a 'must see.' Written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by
Spike Jonze, it's a convoluted story-within-a-story, revolving around a
frustrated, self-obsessed screenwriter who is so agonized that he develops a
split personality. Successful yet insecure Charlie (Nicolas Cage) is struggling
to adapt Susan Orlean's non-fiction book, "The Orchid Thief," into a movie
script and still maintain his artistic integrity, while his twin Donald (also
Cage) becomes his self-confident, glib alter ego. Eventually, reality and
fiction collide when Charlie goes to New York to interview Susan Orlean (Meryl
Streep) and winds up tracking her into the Florida Everglades, where she's
developed a relationship with an obsessive orchid hunter, John Laroche (Chris
Cooper). And Donald follows along. It's an eccentric, intriguing mystery until,
unexpectedly, it erupts into drug-induced sex-and-violence. The unconventional,
semi-real narrative structure is intricately woven and the acting is amazing.
Nicolas Cage is convincing in dual personas, and Meryl Streep embodies the New
Yorker journalist who's discovered an irresistibly intriguing tale to tell. But
Chris Cooper ("The Patriot," "The Bourne Identity") steals the story. Even minus
his front teeth, he oozes charisma. And Brian Cox scores as real-life
screenwriting-coach Robert McKee. Look for clever Charlie Kaufman to earn
another Oscar nomination for this unique, audacious screenplay that not only
examines the need for passion in our lives but also challenges how
everything/everyone must adapt to survive in the world. On the Granger Movie
Gauge of 1 to 10, "Adaptation" is an ingenious, imaginative, adventurous 9. But
I wish they'd kept "The Orchid Thief" as the title.
Copyright © 2002 Susan Granger
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