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Adaptation.

Adaptation.

2002
Drama
1h 55m
The lives of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, author Susan Orlean and orchid poacher John Laroche become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others' in this adaptation of the best-selling "The Orchid Thief."
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Adaptation.

2002
Drama
1h 55m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 67.33% from 8965 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(8965)
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Rated 12 Dec 2011
94
97th
People made a big deal about Nolan's dream within a dream within a dream. That however is amateur shit compared to Kaufman's movie writer on a movie set in a movie within a movie about a movie writer writing the movie that is in the movie that is the movie that you are watching.
Rated 31 Mar 2008
96
99th
The way this is structured is so insanely clever, having Donald write the last act is such a stroke of genius and nicely reinforces the themes of the movie. Cage doesn't ham it up and actually becomes amazing as the two Kaufmans. Hell, everyone is amazing in this. Sad, stimulating and witty, and very rewatchable.
Rated 03 Mar 2007
10
98th
If you get the chance, listen to Charlie Kauffman talk about how he thought of this movie, it's hilarious. It's also incredibly original, witty, and fun. All the leads are great and Maggie Gyllenhaal's 5 minutes of screen time were sweet.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
99
99th
This movie is the pinnacle of writing, and has so many layers of emotions and characters smashing into each other that it's very difficult to not become overwhelmed. Filled with wonderful life epiphanies and great acting, and, best of all, is so gripping because it's so real and personal, and not pretentious. Charlie Kaufman was nominated for a Best Screenplay Award for a movie he wrote about (loosely) failing to write a screenplay.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
74th
Gloriously self-referential, wickedly creative, and very funny.
Rated 08 Jan 2007
100
99th
Charlie Kaufman takes the idea that every desperate screenwriter wants to use and makes it unique, adapting The Orchid Thief in a way that's true to the original themes. Heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time. A true masterwork.
Rated 10 May 2017
90
97th
One of kind. A great cast at the top of their game (probably Nicolas Cage's two best performances) and an amazing script from Charlie Kaufman who gives an incredibly unflattering portrayal of himself in his writing and, also with gusto, goes meta on Hollywood's ass. I find the fact that his fake twin brother Donald was also nominated for an Oscar really awesome.
Rated 09 Nov 2007
89
90th
Kaufman does magic with his scripts. He leads movie-making into whole new territories. Amazing stuff.
Rated 10 Apr 2007
96
99th
My personal favorite script of all time. Spike Jonze handles it extremely well and we're rewarded with a movie unlike any other. Good things happen when artists challenge themselves and I'm grateful that Kaufman took on the challenge of adapting Susan Orlean's book.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
85th
Fascinating and clever meditation on the nature of writing. Kaufman's script is delightfully intricate, the way the story unfolds is brilliant and satisfying.
Rated 01 Feb 2007
90
92nd
Chris Cooper's performance was breathtaking. One moment passionate and manic, the next quiet, trying to suppress old demons. I loved it.
Rated 20 Sep 2010
91
98th
Another brilliant script from Kaufman is made better by the solid turn from Streep, and the amazing one from Cooper. Cage is ultimately fine in the twin roles and for once the funny hair is a valid piece of the story. Does anyone else really wish "The 3" would be made? :)
Rated 03 Sep 2009
91
94th
The story of how this movie got made is great, and it lives up to it. A brilliant cast - Cooper's Oscar was well-deserved, and Cage/Streep are both great - and hilarious script, and one of the most well-directed car collision scenes I've ever seen.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
94th
I can't think of any aspiring writer out there who has seen this movie and not been able to relate to it, and it's simply one of my favorite movies for that reason.
Rated 28 Jan 2007
5
98th
In less competent hands the set-up of this film could have gone horribly awry, but it's handled (nearly) perfectly.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
95
98th
Kaufman strikes again with this mindfuck movie about....Kaufman...trying to write this mindfuck movie. Great script, great commentary on the nature of movies, and a really entertaining movie despite its boring sounding content. Kaufman is one of the few people in the film industry that I have no problem applying the term genius to. His scripts are so unique, so bizarre, yet seriously meaningful and powerful at the same time, and this movie is probably my favorite example of that.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
84th
Laugh-out-loud funny, and peppered with some genuinely intriguing makes-ya-think moments. I won't say I loved this movie, but I really really liked it.
Rated 19 Feb 2007
49
12th
This movie loves itself so much I want to leave it alone with a bottle of hand cream and a tissue.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
95th
fantastic, a marvelous exercise in the power of structure and allegory. A literature major's dream (that's me)
Rated 27 Aug 2010
97
99th
Some films want you to get lost in their story -- this one begs you to look beneath the surface. Watching this film while boggling at how Kaufman/Jonze intertwine the layers of reality is one of my favorite movie-watching experiences. Even better was hearing some of the comments from other moviegoers who clearly weren't along for the whole ride -- "It was slow at first, but picked up toward the end!" Wow.
Rated 03 Jun 2009
91
89th
Another excellently written movie from Kaufman, delving into his own psyche and frustrations (though really he does this with most of his scripts, it's just a hundred times less subtle here). Cage is great playing Kaufman and his "twin" and the rest of the cast play their parts extremely well. I kept getting reminded of Tristram Shandy and Synecdoche, New York throughout this movie and I wish I'd seen this movie before Synecdoche, building up to that one. Hindsight and all that.
Rated 31 Mar 2010
90
94th
Not really a review, but I had a class taught by Susan Orlean and she never once talked about Adaptation.. Kind of made me wonder if she didn't appreciate being portrayed as drug-addict-cheating-whore.
Rated 19 Oct 2013
100
99th
Outstanding, loopy meditation on existence and the Hollywood system, fired by an impeccably chosen cast, headed by Cage, Cooper and Streep who all bring extraordinary dimensions to their oddball characters. Dizzying mix of fantasy and reality, combined with clever plotting (and twisting of the plot, and twisting of the twists) makes for a unique, one-of-a-kind experience.
Rated 29 Dec 2007
94
90th
The tagline for this really should be 'We wrote this during a bout of writer's block. Also, Nicholas Cage can act'. A tender look at the dark side of screenwriting with a breathtaking performance from the leading man. Absolutely essential for all those crazy enough to take up a career in writing.
Rated 09 Sep 2007
90
98th
One of the best screenplays ever written. How good? It fooled me into thinking Nic Cage was awesome.
Rated 29 Mar 2012
93
98th
One of the most clever, funny and interesting movies I have ever seen
Rated 04 Dec 2006
97
93rd
Greatest screenplay ever and a wonderful movie. One of the most original films ever made, hail Charlie Kaufman.
Rated 03 Mar 2007
85
89th
One of the best movies about the creative process of narration. Outstanding performances from its practically flawless cast.
Rated 17 Apr 2009
90
97th
Possibly the best screenplay ever written. Fuck, there's so much to say about this movie, but I'll just tell you that it's amazing and that you should watch it.
Rated 01 Jun 2010
92
93rd
Rather than directly adapting Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief, Charlie Kaufman opts to write a script in which he writes about himself fantasizing about having sex with Susan Orlean. The film is too self-deprecating for one to call it pretentious, and it's too self-aware for one to call it cliche. It's probably the most original visual dissertation on Hollywood screenwriting that you will ever witness. (It's also about flowers.)
Rated 23 Dec 2021
90
92nd
The last act is a thing of beauty -- both changing the tone of the film to fit McKee's principles while also breaking those same principles. We need more man butts in movies. Thanks, Chris Cooper.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
88
95th
Very enjoyable. Kaufman does a great job (as usual) and Cage gives his most enjoyable performance portraying Kaufman and his fictional twin. Add to that a couple of excellent supporting roles by Cooper and Streep and good direction by Jonze and you've got a very good film. I loved how the film was simultaneously funny, dramatic, sad. The sheer abruptness of some of the more darker parts really highlighted the effect on the film's characters.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
75
64th
Interesting and occasionally hilarious movie with great style. Nicolas Cage gives the best performance of his career. Great ending.
Rated 15 Nov 2009
90
93rd
Just when you had given up on Nicolas Cage, he delivers a career best as himself and his twin brother. This is meta-meta-meta-bonanza from Kaufman and Jonze, almost to the point of it being a technical exercise. Still, it's as smart as anything out there, it's great fun and if anything can shake the mental image of Cage screaming "How'd't'getburned?!" - this would be it.
Rated 02 Jan 2012
80
95th
"I'm saying I don't want to...cram in sex or guns or car chases. You know, or characters...learning profound life lessons, or...coming to like each other or overcoming obstacles to succeed in the end. The book isn't like that...and life isn't like that. It just isn't."
Rated 03 Jan 2011
100
93rd
What can I say, Kaufman's a genius!
Rated 01 Aug 2009
89
95th
Utterly brilliant and by far Nic Cage's best film. The delicate and engaging plot is wonderfully played out by Jonze to its fantastic conclusion. The whole cast are excellent, particuarly Cage, who is a joy to watch when he tries and isn't playing up in some retarded action bollocks. Totally mesmerising from the first second to the last.
Rated 04 Jan 2012
100
96th
This screenplay is an absolute masterpiece. I can't think of a single thing that I don't like about this one. Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze should make movies together forever. If I were to ever teach a class on film, this would be the number one movie to show.
Rated 24 Jan 2012
80
88th
The many faces of Nicolas Cage. This movie is essentially a remake of Wes Craven's New Nightmare, but with flowers instead of Freddy.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
85th
Funny, tragic, clever. In Being John Malkovich, Kaufman's writing was sometimes too gimmicky, but that's rarely the case here. Nicolas Cage does a good job and Meryl Streep is as good as always.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
96th
One of our endearing classics. So much love, pain, hope and sadness encaptulated within Kaufman's prose. Is a richer, more rewarding experience every time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
A piece of inspired cinematic brilliance. Edgy and satirical. It breaks the fourth wall every minute, but the film is so great that the audience doesn't even realize that they're being fooled. An absolutely necessary work of self-indulgence for Kaufman.
Rated 19 Feb 2013
50
49th
A screwy movie that switches from the present to a story being written, but reality gets mixed up with the writers story. Nicholas Cage plays two roles at the same time. This movie is interesting, but so very confusing. The plot points are not very believable and some are simply absurd. I oscillated between liking it and not, almost from one minute to the next. It is hard to completely dismiss it, since it is very odd and worth watching if only for that, but nothing was particularly great.
Rated 28 Aug 2009
95
97th
This is an amazing movie. An intellectually enjoyable puzzlebox that folds in on itself and meditates on the many meanings of adaptation (Darwinian, filmed books, psychological, etc.). Fun, fun, fun. Smart, smart, smart. And mr. Nicolas Cage does an excellent job playing two brothers.
Rated 02 Oct 2010
96
97th
Having read 'The Orchid Thief' just before seeing the film, I see Kaufman's handling of the idea of adaptation as a beautiful homage to the pyschological nature of Orleans' narrative journalism. It also serves as a second-hand guide to the cult of Orchid hunters - rather than just the 'movie version' of the book. Nicolas Cage is unforgettable in a challenging role as the Kaufman 'twins,' but Chris Cooper steals the show, bringing Laroche to life exactly the way I had imagined him in the text.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
30
15th
A hollow postmodernist experiment, wrapped around a cheap, hackneyed storyline.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
96
93rd
An atounding film with so many intriguing levels that is also a smart and scathing Hollywood film.
Rated 28 Feb 2011
89
84th
The strangest adaptation of a book ever, about the fictional adaption of the book this movie was supposedly adapting. Not a great adaptation, but a great original screenplay about truth.
Rated 04 Mar 2007
86
74th
Tiresome, annoying, meta and recommendable.
Rated 08 Jan 2007
98
98th
umm...brilliant Charlie Kaufman. Unlike any other film ever make. When Nick Cage makes a great movie, he makes a GREAT movie.
Rated 09 Dec 2008
95
88th
Equally as well done as Being John Malkovich in every way. More original than pretty much every film ever made.
Rated 08 Jun 2022
75
65th
I was enjoying the themes of disappointment and directionlessness... Then it went all... Conventional. I know that's the POINT, I get that. Very clever. Clap clap. But it still didn't satisfy. I have so many questions. How much of this is autobiographical? How much isn't (quite a lot, I'm guessing)? Did this really start out as an adaptation of The Orchid Thief? How does the author of that feel about this? Odd film. Cage is surprisingly docile.
Rated 13 Mar 2015
84
78th
Charlie Kaufman tried to adapt the Orchid Thief, reached a deadlock, then somehow managed to carve a wonderful script out of this experience. He cleverly weaves the different storylines together and ends up with a story that's funny, passionate and smart at the same time. This is all splendidly translated onto the screen by Jonze, and brought alive by three comical talents (Nicolas Cage, Nicolas Cage and Chris Cooper) and the marvelous Meryl Streep.
Rated 13 Apr 2009
33
1st
i havent seen it completely but its boooring for me
Rated 14 Jan 2019
90
96th
The third act does the "Hollywood thriller played straight" angle for a bit too long, especially considering how incredibly creative everything before it was. Kaufman/Jonze/Cage is a monstrously good trio.
Rated 26 Jul 2010
65
42nd
Cage and Streep are terrific and the premise is undeniably original, but the way it evolves makes it less interesting than it sounds. Α little too self-conscious.
Rated 06 Feb 2013
80
89th
Adaptation is a thought-provoking movie that's either pure genius or a complete mess. Either way you look at it, it's a compelling work that is unlike almost anything out there. It might make complete sense, and it might make no sense. I'm still not sure. It might be both. It gives you something to think about, though, and the narrative rarely comes in front of that. It's funny and touching in its own way.
Rated 18 Aug 2009
93
91st
Very original, inventive movie
Rated 19 Oct 2013
85
52nd
The first half of the film, the actual adaptation, is fantastic, as in one of the best movies I've ever seen. The second half of the film, presumably the part written by "Donald Kaufman", is unbearably silly and self-serving. I found this shift in tone and structure disappointing after such a brilliant first hour.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
81st
Spectacular, clever, keen, cool, original and very orchidy with a bloody brilliant N. Cage in a double role.
Rated 02 Apr 2012
70
31st
I get what this movie was trying to accomplish but I thought it was just too in your face. I mean any subtlety that was in this film is all but extinct by the time it ends. The movie was meta to the point that it drags. Its as if it starts stumbling over its own self awareness. However it was intriguing and different. The acting was great. At times it shows signs of brilliance, but in the end the pacing of the plot leads to a simplistic ending that wasted the superb character development
Rated 14 Jan 2011
96
88th
Thought-provoking. One of Cage's great performances.
Rated 26 Feb 2007
90
99th
An absolutely intriguing piece of filmmaking, with excellent performances all aorund, but especially from Streep (surprise!) and Cooper.
Rated 19 Feb 2017
50
24th
If you like something "meta", then you will have great moments with this film. But overall it's too uneventful to be good on its own.
Rated 11 Nov 2007
100
96th
Profoundly moving & very well acted/directed.
Rated 20 Oct 2015
65
22nd
I did not see any humor at all in this film, even though it was suppose to be "dazzlingly funny", but I did watch it to the end.
Rated 29 Jan 2012
95
93rd
Charlie Kaufman is brilliant!
Rated 08 Apr 2010
90
95th
Excellent film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
95
85th
Spike Jonze and Nick Cage? Why, whodathunk!?!?!?
Rated 01 Jun 2008
95
88th
Soooo great
Rated 30 Jun 2018
90
89th
Don't you love Kaufman! Agh, Cage made me nervous but whatever, it just means he acted well. Truly personal work by Kaufman and it shows. Writing blocks, artist's adaptation to the artists... Phenomenal!
Rated 15 May 2008
85
72nd
Loved the scene where they try to make the dial tone. Great move.
Rated 19 Aug 2009
94
81st
Another movie it's taken me too long to see. Brilliant film. And if Robert McKee really teaches like Brian Cox does, I'd definitely sign up for his screenwriting course :)
Rated 24 Mar 2011
1
0th
I didn't love it, but it's a solid film and I do appreciate its existence as a prime example of meta-fuckery. Score is not a grade.
Rated 19 Mar 2011
70
69th
The cast is good (even Cage's performance becomes surprisingly interesting halfway through) and the script is definitely original, albeit (and alas) not able to secure the overall quality of the film, which somehow manages not to thrill.
Rated 29 Jun 2008
98
98th
Yes! I can't believe I found this in the discount bin! This movie makes me consider life in a different light... Not to mention, the movie in essence details the writing of the movie as it goes, and I love complexity like that.
Rated 19 Aug 2012
86
92nd
For me, this film perfectly represents the "fridge brilliance" trope. At the end of my first viewing, I was left disappointed and confused. It wasn't until I was reflecting on the film a couple hours afterwards that all of the pieces clicked into place and I was able to see clearly through the thick haze of meta. Once that happened and I realized that the great performances were, in fact, in service of a very clever script I was able to confirm that I loved the film.
Rated 04 Apr 2010
100
93rd
Kaufman's never ceased to amaze me, and Adaptation is no exception. Words escape me at the moment, but the film's intricately woven, ingenious plot and dynamite performances from all involved have successfully transformed it into one of the best cinematic experiences of the past decade.
Rated 04 Jun 2012
95
97th
Brilliant writing from the great Kaufman
Rated 22 Jun 2007
99
98th
I. Love. this film.
Rated 05 May 2010
82
84th
I was really amazed how good this was. I can't believe so few people have heard of it, while it's just great. First of all: great performances. Cage just blew me away. Great writing to. We get a good look inside the head of a writer, going through al his problems in a romantic, yet tragic, yet funny kind of way. Playing with all these aspects of cinematography makes this one a must see!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
90th
Kaufman's best
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
86th
A fantastically deep script, really clever and interesting with Nicholas Cade playing both the scriptwriter and his fictional twin brother, it's another Kaufman masterpiece.
Rated 17 May 2008
90
97th
A simply wonderful idea for a movie with some truly a-list performances.
Rated 29 Jul 2009
90
83rd
Impressive work
Rated 25 Dec 2012
50
48th
Painfully overrated.
Rated 02 Feb 2008
92
92nd
A fantastic film with breathtaking performances from the entire cast, especially Cage. Cage's greatest performance. A very personal look at the genius of Charlie Kaufman. A lot of writer's can relate to the struggles he goes through. Very effective, hilarious, and just downright amazing.
Rated 24 Jan 2010
82
37th
Quirky as pretty much all Kaufman films, it feels somewhat lacking.
Rated 17 Feb 2007
70
18th
Kaufman's script is very cleverly constructed, as expected. But this time it doesn't really work for me. Feels forced, doesn't have the natural flow of "Malkovich".
Rated 05 Oct 2020
80
80th
Robert McKee: "I'll tell you a secret. The last act makes a film. Wow them in the end, and you got a hit. You can have flaws, problems, but wow them in the end, and you've got a hit. Find an ending, but don't cheat, and don't you dare bring in a deus ex machina. Your characters must change, and the change must come from them. Do that, and you'll be fine."
Rated 30 Dec 2009
46
8th
boring to death
Rated 30 Nov 2009
25
0th
I just don't get it.
Rated 19 Aug 2010
98
99th
My favorite movie of all time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
59th
Brilliant in parts, but too consumed in its own idiosyncracies.
Rated 31 Oct 2008
98
98th
My life on film. On film.
Rated 13 Sep 2009
90
98th
You can really tell that Donald did most of the writing.
Rated 28 Feb 2013
95
90th
also Barton Fink reccomended
Rated 05 Mar 2007
60
62nd
Probably deserves another viewing, but the cleverness here seemed a little laboured. Perhaps its greatest service was to spread the imperative against saying "industry".
Rated 10 Nov 2010
87
89th
Extremely interesting story with good acting from Cage.
Rated 06 Jun 2011
94
94th
I thought this was clever and hilarious, but extremely informative all the same. A rare film. Charlie Kaufman is awesome.

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