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Adaptation. (2002)
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Overview
Tagline:
Charlie Kaufman writes the way he lives... With Great Difficulty. His Twin Brother Donald Lives the way he writes... with foolish abandon. Susan writes about life... But can't live it. John's life is a book... Waiting to be adapted. One story... Four Lives... A million ways it can end.Plot:
A lovelorn screenwriter turns to his less talented twin brother for help when his efforts to adapt a non-fiction book go nowhere. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 39 wins & 45 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(32 articles)
Wrapping Up Cannes 2008 (From IFC. 29 May 2008, 10:40 AM, PDT)
Movie Reviews: 'Eternal Sunshine ...' (From Studio Briefing. 19 March 2004)
User Comments:
Clever... too clever? moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Nicolas Cage | ... | Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman | |
| Tilda Swinton | ... | Valerie Thomas | |
| Meryl Streep | ... | Susan Orlean | |
| Chris Cooper | ... | John Laroche | |
| Jay Tavare | ... | Matthew Osceola | |
| Litefoot | ... | Russell (as G. Paul Davis) | |
| Roger Willie | ... | Randy | |
| Jim Beaver | ... | Ranger Tony | |
| Cara Seymour | ... | Amelia Kavan | |
| Doug Jones | ... | Augustus Margary | |
| Stephen Tobolowsky | ... | Ranger Steve Neely (scenes deleted) | |
| Gary Farmer | ... | Buster Baxley | |
| Peter Jason | ... | Defense Attorney | |
| Gregory Itzin | ... | Prosecutor | |
| Curtis Hanson | ... | Orlean's Husband |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language, sexuality, some drug use and violent images.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
114 minCountry:
USAColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreCertification:
Malaysia:U | Philippines:R-18 | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba) | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-15 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Iceland:L (video rating) | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R13 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Singapore:NC-16 (original rating) | Singapore:PG (DVD rating) (cut) | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Bern) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #38094) | Portugal:M/12MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The book-on-tape, which is playing in the background of the orchid thief's van as Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper drive, is shown on the dashboard momentarily. It appears to be "'The Writings of Charles Darwin', as read by Brian O'Kelley". There is no such book, no such audio tape. Brian O'Kelley is the assistant director of this movie. moreGoofs:
Continuity: At the end of the film when Kaufman pulls out of the parking garage, a woman (Jennifer Porst) sits next to him in the car for a single shot, though he is riding alone. moreQuotes:
[first lines]Charlie Kaufman: [voiceover] Do I have an original thought in my head? My bald head. Maybe if I were happier, my hair wouldn't be falling out. Life is short. I need to make the most of it. Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I'm a walking cliché. I really need to go to the doctor and have my leg checked...
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Soundtrack:
One Part Lullaby moreFAQ
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John Laroche (an excellent, award-winning Chris Cooper) is a plant lover, specialized in orchids. Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep) writes a story about it, and later a book. Charlie Kaufman (the always cool Nicholas Cage) has to adapt the book to a screenplay.
Basicly, that's the story right there. But this movie comes with so many twists, it's hard to catch up.
First of, Susan Orlean and her book really exist. As does Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine o/t Spotless Mind). In fact, Kaufman has written this movie. So Kaufman wrote a movie about Kaufman writing a movie. You get it? Then there's the fact that all storylines are happening at the same time (think The Hours). Add to that the twin brother Donald Kaufman, who's also writing some parts. Or is he...? Does he even exist at all?
The most confusing (and amusing) part is that movie-Kaufman (that's Cage) is talking about making this movie. He's telling himself 'we open with a van on the highway' and we've actually seen that part. It goes even beyond that, when we hear him talk to his recorder: 'Charlie Kaufman is talking to his recorder'. I loved that part.
But it's a movie you have to go along with. Kaufman and Jonze try desperately to be clever and they've managed to do so. It's one of the most original movies of the last ten years, but I'm sure it's not for all tastes. If you like Being John Malkovich you should probably give it a go though.
My score: 8/10.