Adaptation (2002)

Synopsis of Adaptation

The creative team behind Being John Malkovich -- director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman -- return with this equally offbeat comedy, in which Kaufman himself becomes the leading character. Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) is a gifted but profoundly neurotic screenwriter who, after the success of Being John Malkovich, has been hired to write a script adapted from the nonfiction book The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. But while Charlie is obsessive about his work, he's also intensely paranoid, given to deep depression, socially inept, and terrified of talking to women, qualities which are making it difficult to get on with his work or hold on to his tenuous relationship with girlfriend Amelia (Cara Seymour). Meanwhile, Charlie's identical twin brother, Donald Kaufman (also played by Cage), has shown up to move in with his brother. Emotionally, Donald is Charlie's polar opposite -- a loudmouthed, over-confident, superficial party animal who has an easy way with the ladies. Donald has decided to follow his brother's footsteps and take up screenwriting as well, but embracing the dictates of screenwriting tutor Robert McKee (Brian Cox), he's cranking out a cliché-ridden serial-killer thriller when not busy making time with new girlfriend Caroline (Maggie Gyllenhaal). As Donald blazes through his screenplay, Charlie slowly picks away at his story, in which author Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep) chronicles John Laroche (Chris Cooper), a scruffy but devoted plant enthusiast who tries to save rare species of orchids by stealing them from their natural home in the swamps of Florida. As John and Susan become better acquainted, they find themselves attracted to one another; similarly, Charlie finds himself increasingly fascinated with Susan, and finds himself falling in love with her, even though he's only seen her photo on the dust jacket of her book. Charlie arranges to meet Susan, but is too nervous to confront her face to face, so he sends Donald (who has just scored a seven-figure deal for his script) in his place, while he attends a screenwriting seminar held by McKee. Adaptation also features Tilda Swinton, Judy Greer, and Stephen Tobolowsky. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Theatrical Feature Running Time:

115 mins

Director(s):

Spike Jonze

Writer(s):

Donald Kaufman, Charlie Kaufman

Producer(s):

Vincent Landay, Edward Saxon, Jonathan Demme

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

R(Violence, Sexual Situations, Drug Content, Adult Language, Not For Children)

• 2002 - American Film Institute - Top Ten Movie of the Year
• 2003 - Berlin International Film Festival - Silver Bear
• 2003 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 2003 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
• 2002 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actress
• 2002 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 2002 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Most Promising Performer
• 2002 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 2002 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
• 2002 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
• 2002 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
• 2002 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay (Runner-up)
• 2002 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay (Runner-up)
• 2002 - National Board of Review - Best Screenplay
• 2002 - National Board of Review - Best Supporting Actor
• 2002 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actor (Runner-up)
• 2002 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
• 2002 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
• 2002 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Actor
• 2002 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 2002 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 2002 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Picture
• 2002 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor

Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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