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First off, this movie is not as confusing as many people have said
it is. The film is based on the real life attempts of writer
Susan Orleans and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman to collaborate and
turn the novel "The Orchid Thief" into a motion picture.
So, the movie is based on real life occurrences? Well, some
of it. And a lot of it is bullshit. As Greg Shmitz
puts it, the film is "an adaptation of a writer's adaptation
of a novel which was based upon a true story."
The
novel "The Orchid Thief" is based on the life of John
Laroche, a real life plant dealer who conspired with three
Seminole Indians to clone rare orchids and sell them at
extraordinary prices. This was a nonfiction book and is
the entire basis for the film. Now, for the film.
Nicolas Cage stars as Charlie Kaufman (the real life screenwriter
for this film). Kaufman wants to adapt the novel "The
Orchid Thief" into a film, and enlists the help of his
(fictional) brother Donald (also played by Nicolas Cage). In
doing so, we also see Susan Orleans (the real life author of the
book "The Orchid Thief"; played by Meryl Streep)
interact with John Laroche (Chris Cooper; the man the book is
about). Confusing enough yet? It sounds that way, but
it is really not so bad.
Talk
about your all-star cast. Nicolas Cage deserves one hell of
a big Oscar for his duel performances in this picture, as does
Chris Cooper for his supporting role. And, when is Meryl
Streep not amazing. Alas, the cameos are what make this
picture so riveting. We just keep waiting to see who will
pop up next. Now--don't get me wrong--this film is still a
miracle without the cameos--but, they really do rock. Who
pops up, you might ask? Well...John Cusack, Spike Jonze,
David O. Russell, and Catherine Keener, just to name a few--and
they all play themselves. Brian Cox, Tilda Swinton, Maggie
Gyllenhaal, Ron Livingston, and Curtis Hanson also have supporting
roles.
Spike Jonze has created another epic motion picture, this one even
surpassing the wonderful "Being John Malkovich", which
was his first attempt as a director. The plotline is so
unusual, yet so entertaining, the audience finds themselves amidst
real life circumstances, laced with loads and loads of both truth
and lies. I once again stress that Nicolas Cage, Chris
Cooper, and Meryl Streep give some of the best performances they
have ever given, and that is saying a whole helluva lot.
Another funny thing--Donald Kaufman (Charlie's fictional brother
in the film) is given screenwriting credits in the film, which I
thought was hilarious and a stroke of genius. Spike Jonze is
just full of creative and interesting twists. I just cannot
fathom how his mind works and what level he is thinking on most of
the time. I will just come out and say that he is THE most
creative director in Hollywood and really knows how to choose his
material. The collaborations between he and Kaufman are some
of the best Hollywood has ever known, and "Adaptation"
should definitely be considered for many, many, many Academy
Awards. God, I loved this movie and I am certain you will
too.
-- Billy
Ray ( 4 out of 4 pops )
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