Written by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman (Fictionally), based on the book "The Orchid Thief" (sort of, kind of, not really) by Susan Orlean
Starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper and Brian Cox
A lovelorn screenwriter becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt "The Orchid Thief" by Susan Orlean for the screen.
A satire of just how wrong film adaptations of beloved novels can be, Charlie Kaufman took his real-life struggles of adapting Susan Orlean's book and did what any good screenwriter would do when writing an adaptation and made it nothing like it's printed counterpart. Making himself the main character, Kaufman took a story that wasn't even in his own genre and put his imaginative twist on it.
The genius and ingenuity of his writing made for a fun film in which we got to see into his psyche. Or probably not. There really is no telling after this script. Regardless, the journey he takes us on is one that all film lovers will appreciate.
Backed by great writing, the A-list cast gave remarkable performances that earned Chris Cooper an Academy Award (although, I believe it to be a "sorry for snubbing you for 'American Beauty' award). It even earned Nicolas Cage and Meryl Streep Academy Award nominations for their roles.
A film that I can't imagine anyone other than Spike Jonze to direct. The quirkiness and ingenuity of Kaufman's writing is complimented by Jonze's style and proves to be a perfect followup to "Being John Malkovich".
I really haven't seen another film like this. It is so different and extraordinarily wild that I really can't compare it to any other work. It's just one of those movies that can't be defined other than by a few meaningless words that don't delve into what it really is. You just have to see it.
My Rating: 8/10
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