Adaptation. (2002)
Adaptation is Nicolas Cage’s movie. Say what you want about Meryl Streep’s feet, Charlie Kaufman’s thought-provoking screenplay, or Chris Cooper’s make-up Oscar for his snub from American Beauty, but it’s Mr. Cage’s show. He plays a set of vastly different twin brothers, and he’s so convincing in his dual role, when I described the movie to a friend, I found myself saying, “Not Nicolas Cage, the other brother.” If all you’ve seen him in are his recent action flicks, rent this one to find out he is in fact a serious actor.
The plot is a bit complex, as you might expect from a Charlie Kaufman movie, so if you need to see this movie two or three times to keep up, you’re not alone. Nicky plays Charlie Kaufman himself and the movie makes references to his earlier film Being John Malkovich. As Charlie struggles to write his next screenplay, an adaptation of a nonfiction book, his brother Donald moves in with him and triggers all his emotional issues. While Charlie is careful, Donald is impulsive; where Charlie is doubtful, Donald is confident. Charlie spends time and effort trying to craft the perfect screenplay, and his brother attends a writer’s workshop on a whim and decides to try his hand at it. Trust me, you’re going to find yourself saying, “Not Nicolas Cage, the other brother,” once you get immersed in the story. It’s incredible.
Where do Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper come in? Meryl is the author of the book that’s being adapted, and Chris is her special friend. There’s a side plot about using the orchids, the subject of her book, as a drug, but honestly, as soon as the movie’s setting reaches the swamp, I don’t really understand what’s going on. If you’ve never seen this movie before, do me a favor and don’t pre-read any analyses or synopses prior to watching it. If you’re a bit confused, that’s a lot better than having surprises blown. This is a pretty heavy movie, so be prepared. You’ll be rewarded with some great acting and a story you can talk about with your friends afterwards.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to due to sexual content and drug use, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Meryl Streep movies here!
The plot is a bit complex, as you might expect from a Charlie Kaufman movie, so if you need to see this movie two or three times to keep up, you’re not alone. Nicky plays Charlie Kaufman himself and the movie makes references to his earlier film Being John Malkovich. As Charlie struggles to write his next screenplay, an adaptation of a nonfiction book, his brother Donald moves in with him and triggers all his emotional issues. While Charlie is careful, Donald is impulsive; where Charlie is doubtful, Donald is confident. Charlie spends time and effort trying to craft the perfect screenplay, and his brother attends a writer’s workshop on a whim and decides to try his hand at it. Trust me, you’re going to find yourself saying, “Not Nicolas Cage, the other brother,” once you get immersed in the story. It’s incredible.
Where do Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper come in? Meryl is the author of the book that’s being adapted, and Chris is her special friend. There’s a side plot about using the orchids, the subject of her book, as a drug, but honestly, as soon as the movie’s setting reaches the swamp, I don’t really understand what’s going on. If you’ve never seen this movie before, do me a favor and don’t pre-read any analyses or synopses prior to watching it. If you’re a bit confused, that’s a lot better than having surprises blown. This is a pretty heavy movie, so be prepared. You’ll be rewarded with some great acting and a story you can talk about with your friends afterwards.
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to due to sexual content and drug use, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
More Meryl Streep movies here!