|
 |
| |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Adaptation
is the most self-referential movie imaginable. The
plot centres around Charlie Kaufmann, a screenwriter
(played by Nicolas Cage) who is writing a screenplay
based on a book called The Orchid Thief. Kaufmann
finds the book difficult to transfer to an original
screenplay, so he writes himself and his aspiring
screenwriter twin brother (also played by Cage)
into the film.
The very bizarre twist to the movie is that Charlie
Kaufmann is in fact the real-life writer of this
movie. And the movie is in fact based on the real-life
book, The Orchid Thief. The real author of The Orchid
Thief, Susan Orleans, is also a main character in
this movie (played by Meryl Streep) as is the main
character of that book, the orchid poacher John
Laroche (played by Chris Cooper).
So you have a movie about a screenwriter who has
written himself into his movie, written by a screenwriter
who has written himself into his movie, based on
a book whose author and main character also appear
in the movie.
Confused
yet?
It gets weirder. Donald Kaufmann, credited as one
of the screenwriters for this movie in real life,
does not actually exist. He is a character created
strictly for the movie, and possibly also to mess
up all the reviewer’s minds.
Charlie Kaufmann’s stated goal is to write
a movie that is actually true to Susan Orleans’
book, which is about the beauty of orchids and their
attraction to collectors. He does not want to cram
in the typical Hollywood sex or drugs or car chases
or characters learning profound truths or coming
to like each other or things being resolved, because
that kind of stuff is not mirrored in real life.
Of course, the only way Kaufmann is able to complete
the script is by adding all of those artificial
plot elements in, which he and his fictional twin
brother end up experiencing during the course of
the movie.
All of Kaufmann’s anxieties and insecurities
are on display in this movie. It is as if he wanted
to give people on opportunity to spend some time
inside his mind, in much the same way characters
were given a portal into John Malkovich’s
mind in Kaufmann’s previous movie, Being John
Malkovich (the first scene of this movie actually
takes place on the set of Malkovich). This is illustrated
well by the constant use of voice over to vocalise
Kaufmann’s thought processes.
Adaptation is in the end a fascinating glimpse into
one man’s psyche as he tries to come to grips
with his failure with women, his contentious relationship
with his eternally optimistic brother, and his desire
to create original art. The title Adaptation refers
to Kaufmann’s attempts to adapt Susan Orleans’
book into a screenplay, but more importantly it
describes Kaufmann’s frustrated efforts to
adapt to the world around him.
The concept of adaptation is also descriptive of
the way all of the characters must alter their lives
in the pursuit of their passions. Susan Orleans’
book expresses the wonder of creation, and the longing
of humans to desire something with all of their
hearts. John Laroche, her main character, expresses
this exquisitely through an illustration with bees
and orchids, showing how creation only moves on
because creatures chase after the love of their
lives. To follow after love is the destiny of every
living thing, and everything else must pale in comparison.
Adaptation is a unique movie that will make you
think, though you may become frustrated near the
end. There are scenes of sexuality, some violence,
bad language and simulated drug use, so use your
discretion. It is also potentially very confusing,
but altogether worthy of a focused viewing.
(Rated R for language, sexuality, some violence
and drug use) |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Youthwork -
The Partnership ...
ALOVE,
Youthwork Magazine, Youth For Christ, Spring Harvest and
Oasis are working together to equip and resource the Church
for effective youth work and ministry. |
 |
|
|
|
|
