Adaptation. is about the never-ending struggle of a screenwriter who must adapt an unconventional novel in to a big studio screenplay. I love this movie because of its flawless fuse of fiction and reality, an impeccable performance by Nicholas Cage, and the excellently executed screenplay written by Charlie Kaufman and his fictitious twin brother Donald.
First, Adaptation. is partly a true story. Many of the characters, in the film, are real people. The main character, Charlie Kaufman, also wrote the screenplay. Charlie Kaufman was hired to adapt the novel The Orchid Thief, but instead of a straight story, The Orchid Thief is just a book about flowers. Because of his difficulty, Kaufman decided to record his battle with the book into one of the most original screenplays ever written. The Kaufman in Adaptation., is seen writing about the author, Susan Orlean, and the real orchid thief, John Laroache, but then, later, in the movie, Kaufman is seen telling himself to write himself into the screenplay. The conclusion of the story is also fictional. I am still unsure about what is and what is not fictional. My noggin's throbbing' just thinking about it.
Next, Nicholas Cage gives the performance of a lifetime as the troubled Charlie and the callow Donald. Cage plays identical twin brothers, but the viewer is always able to identify which brother is which. Cage depicts Donald as a jubilant man who is confident but not cocky. Donald admires his brother and wants to be a screenwriter, too. He has substantial luck with his first script, which boosts his confidence even more. On the other side of the spectrum is Charlie, a miserable man whose genius on the page doesn't echo into his every day life. He is afraid to make a move for the woman he loves. His lack of confidence turns her to another man, making him even more miserable. Two total opposites that look exactly the same. Every actor plays multiple characters, but to be able to play two different characters in the same frame and to distinctly differ between both is impressive in it's own right. "You and I share the same DNA. Is there anything more lonely than that?" Charlie Kaufman
Finally, the screenplay, scribed in a joint effort by the Kaufman brothers, is mind- blowing. The fact that so much thought and emotion was hardly hammered into a story makes me feel so distant from my own ambition to become a screenwriter. Even though Donald does not exist outside of the film, it is important that his name is attached to the project. The story changes drastically because Charlie, a writer who tries to remain faithful to the original story while making it intriguing and new, needs assistance from his brother to complete the screenplay. At this point in the film, the real Charlie begins to write the final act as Donald would write it. He adds everything the Charlie in the story wouldn't add; Passionate sex, hard drugs, intense car chases, and violent shoot-outs. All of these are present in Donald's over the top climax. Charlie Kaufman must have felt so good when he thought of this, because it surely made an impression of awe on me.
In conclusion, never has there been a movie that impressed me so much. There are many more aspects of this phenomenal film that I have refrained from revealing. Adaptation. is my favorite movie because of the gutsy screenplay, terrific performance, and it's realistic fictional nature. I've said enough. So, what are you still doing reading this? Go get a copy of Adaptation.!
First, Adaptation. is partly a true story. Many of the characters, in the film, are real people. The main character, Charlie Kaufman, also wrote the screenplay. Charlie Kaufman was hired to adapt the novel The Orchid Thief, but instead of a straight story, The Orchid Thief is just a book about flowers. Because of his difficulty, Kaufman decided to record his battle with the book into one of the most original screenplays ever written. The Kaufman in Adaptation., is seen writing about the author, Susan Orlean, and the real orchid thief, John Laroache, but then, later, in the movie, Kaufman is seen telling himself to write himself into the screenplay. The conclusion of the story is also fictional. I am still unsure about what is and what is not fictional. My noggin's throbbing' just thinking about it.
Next, Nicholas Cage gives the performance of a lifetime as the troubled Charlie and the callow Donald. Cage plays identical twin brothers, but the viewer is always able to identify which brother is which. Cage depicts Donald as a jubilant man who is confident but not cocky. Donald admires his brother and wants to be a screenwriter, too. He has substantial luck with his first script, which boosts his confidence even more. On the other side of the spectrum is Charlie, a miserable man whose genius on the page doesn't echo into his every day life. He is afraid to make a move for the woman he loves. His lack of confidence turns her to another man, making him even more miserable. Two total opposites that look exactly the same. Every actor plays multiple characters, but to be able to play two different characters in the same frame and to distinctly differ between both is impressive in it's own right. "You and I share the same DNA. Is there anything more lonely than that?" Charlie Kaufman
Finally, the screenplay, scribed in a joint effort by the Kaufman brothers, is mind- blowing. The fact that so much thought and emotion was hardly hammered into a story makes me feel so distant from my own ambition to become a screenwriter. Even though Donald does not exist outside of the film, it is important that his name is attached to the project. The story changes drastically because Charlie, a writer who tries to remain faithful to the original story while making it intriguing and new, needs assistance from his brother to complete the screenplay. At this point in the film, the real Charlie begins to write the final act as Donald would write it. He adds everything the Charlie in the story wouldn't add; Passionate sex, hard drugs, intense car chases, and violent shoot-outs. All of these are present in Donald's over the top climax. Charlie Kaufman must have felt so good when he thought of this, because it surely made an impression of awe on me.
In conclusion, never has there been a movie that impressed me so much. There are many more aspects of this phenomenal film that I have refrained from revealing. Adaptation. is my favorite movie because of the gutsy screenplay, terrific performance, and it's realistic fictional nature. I've said enough. So, what are you still doing reading this? Go get a copy of Adaptation.!
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