ADAPTATION

Journalist Susan Orlean wrote The Orchid Thief, a non-fiction book published in 1998 that tells the tale of John Laroche. Laroche is a horticulturist who had been arrested for poaching orchids in a protected Florida State Preserve. Orlean becomes intrigued by Laroche’s passion for these unique and exquisite flowers. Later, filmmaker and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman would endeavor to adapt Orlean’s book into a film, and it was this undertaking that ultimately led to his 2003 film, Adaptation.

 

Kaufman’s Adaptation tells the tale of Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage), a screenwriter hired to adapt a book called “The Orchid Thief”, written by journalist Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep), into a screenplay. The book explores Susan’s journey of learning about horticulturist John Laroche (Chris Cooper), his passion for orchids, and her exploration of what passion means. 

I’m going to say it right up front, this film is bonkers… but in all the best ways possible. It is genius meta-cinema, and the acting is superb. Cage soars playing both the self-loathing, self-doubting, sexually frustrated screenwriter Charlie Kaufman as well as Charlie’s identical twin brother Donald. Donald is a lighter character who doesn’t take himself as seriously, and who is embarking on a career to be a screenwriter as well. The many scenes between these two characters are wonderfully filled with Donald’s joy and innocence being played off of Charlie’s irritation and pessimism. 

Charlie is experiencing writer’s block as he tries to find the right angle to adapt Orlean’s book. Meanwhile, through flashbacks, we experience Susan Orlean as she meets the enigmatic John Laroche, and begins to see life through his unique perspective. It isn’t until the final arc of the film that the stories of all four central characters become intertwined. At this point, the film decides to go all in with being off the wall! I was mesmerized as the story’s conclusion unfolded. The experience was very similar to when I watched the Oscar-winning picture, Parasite, and I found myself thinking, “WTF is happening right now!!” Adaptation was a seductively fresh and satisfying experience. An admirable blend of storytelling and acting. Bravo to all involved!