Adaptation.
Adaptation. film poster
Directed by	Spike Jonze
Produced by	Jonathan Demme Vincent Landay Edward Saxon
Written by	Susan Orlean (book The Orchid Thief) Charlie Kaufman (screenplay) and Donald Kaufman (screenplay)
Starring	Nicolas Cage Meryl Streep Chris Cooper Ron Livingston Brian Cox Maggie Gyllenhaal
Music by	Carter Burwell
Cinematography	Lance Acord
Distributed by	Columbia Pictures
Release date(s)	December 6, 2002
Running time	115 min
Language	English
IMDb profile

Adaptation. is a 2002 film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman, although Donald Kaufman is also given writing credit. It earned Chris Cooper an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, along with overwhelming critical acclaim. It is the second film to be both written by Kaufman and directed by Jonze (the first being the critically acclaimed Being John Malkovich). Look up adaptation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (510x755, 65 KB) film poster File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Spike Jonze (born Adam Spiegel on October 22, 1969), is an American director of music videos and commercials, and an Academy Award-nominated director and producer in film and television, most notably the 1999 film Being John Malkovich and the 2002 film Adaptation. ... Jonathan Demme (born February 22, 1944, in Baldwin, New York) is an American film director, producer and writer. ... Edward Saxon is an Academy Award-winning film producer. ... Susan Orlean (born October 31, 1955) is an American journalist whose feature writing drolly but affectionately considers softer subjects than some of those covered by her colleagues. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Donald Kaufman is the fictional twin brother of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, and was created for the film Adaptation. ... Nicolas Cage (born January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award-winning American actor. ... Mary Louise Streep, mostly known as Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an Academy Award-winning American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. ... Christopher W. Cooper (born July 9, 1951) is an Academy Award-winning American film actor. ... Ron Livingston (born June 5, 1968) is an American film and television actor. ... Brian Denis Cox, CBE (born June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland) is a Scottish actor, notable for being the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter, a role he took in the Michael Mann film Manhunter (in which the characters surname was spelled Lecktor). Image:Http://www. ... Maggie Ruth Gyllenhaal (born November 16, 1977) is an American actress. ... Carter Burwell (born November 18, 1955, in New York) is a composer of film soundtracks. ... After studying photography and filmmaking at the San Francisco Arts Institute, Northern California native Lance Acord began his career with photographer/filmmaker Bruce Weber. ... The Columbia Pictures logo from 1993 to the present Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. ... December 6 is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Spike Jonze (born Adam Spiegel on October 22, 1969), is an American director of music videos and commercials, and an Academy Award-nominated director and producer in film and television, most notably the 1999 film Being John Malkovich and the 2002 film Adaptation. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Donald Kaufman is the fictional twin brother of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, and was created for the film Adaptation. ... Christopher W. Cooper (born July 9, 1951) is an Academy Award-winning American film actor. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to male actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... Being John Malkovich is a 1999 film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. ...

Summary

The screenplay is partially based on a true story except Donald Kaufman is not a real person. After the success of his screenplay for Being John Malkovich, Kaufman was hired to write a screenplay based on Susan Orlean's book, The Orchid Thief. However, he soon realized that the book simply couldn't be filmed. As he came under increasing pressure to turn in a screenplay, the "adaptation" became a story of a screenwriter's attempt to write a screenplay about a book that cannot be adapted into a screenplay. Kaufman handed the script to his employers in the firm belief he would never work again. Instead, the backers enjoyed the script so much they decided to abandon the original project and film Kaufman's screenplay instead.^{[citation needed]} Being John Malkovich is a 1999 film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. ... Susan Orlean (born October 31, 1955) is an American journalist whose feature writing drolly but affectionately considers softer subjects than some of those covered by her colleagues. ... The Orchid Thief is a non-fiction work of literature by American journalist and author Susan Orlean, based on her investigation of the 1994 arrest of John Laroche and a group of Seminoles in south Florida for poaching rare orchids in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. ...

The film is self-referential, in that we see the creative process behind the movie we are watching. At one point, Charlie is unable to think of a satisfactory ending for the script, and asks his brother Donald (also played by Cage) how he would end it. At that moment, the style of the movie changes to Donald's style of scriptwriting, with intrigue, sex, drugs, car chases and guns replacing abstraction and angst. Another example is during Mckee's seminar while we hear Charlie in a voice over Mckee screams at his audience "God help you if you use voice over!" and immediately Charlie's voice over stops. A self-reference occurs when an object refers to itself. ...

Throughout the course of the film, Charlie writes or dictates ideas for his script of The Orchid Thief that are in fact used in this movie itself, such as the rapid timeline of Earth's development, or even of himself sitting there talking into a tape recorder. As well, after Charlie tells the producer the things that he doesn't want his script to turn into (a 'typical' Hollywood movie, where characters fall in love, or it turns out to be about drugs, or somebody unexpectedly dies), virtually all of them occur after Donald "takes over" the writing of the movie. The Orchid Thief is a non-fiction work of literature by American journalist and author Susan Orlean, based on her investigation of the 1994 arrest of John Laroche and a group of Seminoles in south Florida for poaching rare orchids in the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve. ...

The self-referential nature of the film raises questions as to Donald's existence: that is, whether he is a real person, or merely an embodiment of one aspect of Charlie's personality (as he is in real life). Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, Donald is not only credited as a co-writer for the film, but the movie's end credits feature a dedication to his memory (implying that, if he is indeed an existing individual, he died during the writing of the screenplay). In addition, The 3 is assumed to be an existing screenplay, and an excerpt from it is also featured in the credits. Another reference to Donald and his film can be found on the DVD release in the filmography section on the disc. It includes a page for Donald, listing his works as Adaptation. and The 3. The 3 is a fictional movie within the 2002 film Adaptation. ...

An ironic aspect of the film's post-modern self-referencing is the appearance of Robert McKee (Brian Cox), a real-life host of screenwriting seminars. McKee is renowned for warning his students about the technique of the deus ex machina. In the film, Kaufman represents McKee as the deus ex machina, as he gives Charlie the solution to his problematic situation. Robert McKee is a creative writing instructor who is widely admired for his popular Story Seminars, which developed when he was a professor at the University of Southern California. ... Brian Denis Cox, CBE (born June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland) is a Scottish actor, notable for being the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter, a role he took in the Michael Mann film Manhunter (in which the characters surname was spelled Lecktor). Image:Http://www. ... For other uses, see Deus ex machina (disambiguation). ...

The movie talks about the "Holy Grail", but all of the characters' quests in the story either fail or turn out to be futile:

• Charlie Kaufman wanted to write a movie just about flowers, and to impress Susan Orlean. He failed on both counts. Also, he failed in writing a screenplay wherein nothing much changes, as in "real life", seeing as his character prevails and finishes his screenplay.
• John Laroche wanted to be a leader in many different and obscure fields. Whenever he accomplished this, however, he would abandon his hobby for a completely new one.
• Susan Orlean wanted desperately to see the Ghost Orchid and care passionately about something. When she saw the Ghost Orchid, she was disappointed. When she found passion, she devolved into a hopeless addict.
• Donald Kaufman didn't really want anything out of life but he lucked into all the things his brother Charlie was desperate for and wrote a hit script called The 3.

John Edward Laroche (born 19 February 1962 in Florida) is a convicted American orchid poacher who was the subject of a New Yorker article and book The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. ... Binomial name Dendrophylax lindenii (Lindl. ...

Cast

• Nicolas Cage - Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman
• Meryl Streep - Susan Orlean
• Chris Cooper - John Laroche
• Cara Seymour - Amelia Kavan
• Tilda Swinton - Valerie Thomas
• Ron Livingston - Marty Bowen
• Brian Cox - Robert McKee
• Maggie Gyllenhaal - Caroline Cunningham
• Jim Beaver - Ranger Tony
• Judy Greer - Alice the Waitress
• Litefoot - Russell
• Doug Jones - Augustus Margary
• Jay Tavare - Matthew Osceola
• Stephen Tobolowsky - Ranger Steve Neely (scenes deleted)
• Roger Willie - Randy

Nicolas Cage (born January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award-winning American actor. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Donald Kaufman is the fictional twin brother of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, and was created for the film Adaptation. ... Mary Louise Streep, mostly known as Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an Academy Award-winning American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. ... Susan Orlean (born October 31, 1955) is an American journalist whose feature writing drolly but affectionately considers softer subjects than some of those covered by her colleagues. ... Christopher W. Cooper (born July 9, 1951) is an Academy Award-winning American film actor. ... John Edward Laroche (born 19 February 1962 in Florida) is a convicted American orchid poacher who was the subject of a New Yorker article and book The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean. ... Cara Seymour is an English actress of both stage and screen. ... Katherine Mathilda Swinton (born November 5, 1960), better known as Tilda Swinton, is a Golden Globe Award-nominated British actress known for both arthouse and mainstream films. ... Ron Livingston (born June 5, 1968) is an American film and television actor. ... Brian Denis Cox, CBE (born June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland) is a Scottish actor, notable for being the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter, a role he took in the Michael Mann film Manhunter (in which the characters surname was spelled Lecktor). Image:Http://www. ... Robert McKee is a creative writing instructor who is widely admired for his popular Story Seminars, which developed when he was a professor at the University of Southern California. ... Maggie Ruth Gyllenhaal (born November 16, 1977) is an American actress. ... Jim Beaver (born August 12, 1950) (real name James Norman Beaver, Jr. ... Judy Evans Greer (born July 20, 1975) is an American actress. ... Litefoot (born Gary Paul Davis on August 5, 1972 in Upland, California; he also goes by the name G. Paul Davis) is a Native American rapper and the founder of the Red Vinyl record label. ... Douglas Jones (born May 24, 1960) is an American actor. ... Jay Tavare is a actor of Native American/Latin descent. ... Stephen Harold Tobolowsky (born May 30, 1951) is a Tony Award-nominated American charactor actor whose career has largely been in cast as supporting characters that are amiable, brainy, and/or clueless, in television, stage, and film. ...

Awards

Adaptation. won one Academy Award (Cooper for Best Supporting Actor) and was nominated for three others: Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to male actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ...

• Cage for Best Actor
• Streep for Best Supporting Actress
• Charlie and Donald Kaufman for Adapted Screenplay. Donald became the first truly fictitious person nominated for an Oscar. Oddly, the screenplay technically isn't an adaptation of The Orchid Thief, but in fact is a fictionalized account of Kaufman's attempt to adapt the book to film.

It won best adapted screenplay awards from these institutes: The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role is one of the awards given to actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is one of the awards given to actresses working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Writing Adapted Screenplay is one of the Academy Awards, the most prominent film awards in the United States. ... There have been several fictional people nominated for Academy Awards: 1957 - Robert Rich - Academy Award for Best Story for The Brave One Rich won the award that year, although he was actually a cover for blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Sample from a screenplay, showing dialogue and action descriptions. ...

• the BAFTA
• Boston Society of Film Critics
• Broadcast Film Critics Association
• Chicago Film Critics Association
• Florida Film Critics Circle
• Golden Satellite
• National Board of Review, USA
• New York Film Critics Circle
• Online Film Critics Society
• PEN Center USA West Literary
• San Diego Film Critics Society
• Southeastern Film Critics Association
• Toronto Film Critics Association

BAFTA Award The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), is a British organisation that hosts annual awards shows for film, television, childrens film and television, and interactive media. ... The Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC) is organization of film reviewers from Boston, Massachusetts, United States, based publications. ... The Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) is the largest film critics organization in the U.S. and Canada, representing 199 television, radio and online critics. ... The Chicago Film Critics Association is an American film critic association. ... The Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) is an organization of film reviewers from Florida-based publications. ... New York Film Critics Circle Awards are given annually to honor excellence in cinema worldwide by an organization of film reviewers from New York City-based publications. ... The Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) , the professional association for film journalists, scholars and historians who publish their reviews, interviews and essays exclusively or primarily in the online media. ... The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) is an organization of film reviewers from San Diego-based publications. ... The Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) is an organization of film reviewers from publications based in the Southeastern United States. ... The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) is an organization of film reviewers from Toronto-based publications. ...

Financial measures

• Production Budget: $19 million^[1]
• Opening weekend U.S. gross: $2,636,924
• Total U.S. box office gross: $22,498,520
• Total Foreign box office gross: $10,302,653

Miscellanea

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. (June 2007) The article could be improved by integrating relevant items into other sections and removing inappropriate items.

• In one scene, Charlie comes home and checks his mail. He is in front of a mirror, and Donald is talking to him behind him. The reflection of Donald in the mirror is actually the real Charlie Kaufman.
• Nicolas Cage's brother, New York radio personality Marc Coppola, often stood in for one of the Kaufman brothers during shooting.
• Robert McKee personally suggested Brian Cox to the producers to play him in the movie.

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Robert McKee is a creative writing instructor who is widely admired for his popular Story Seminars, which developed when he was a professor at the University of Southern California. ... Brian Denis Cox, CBE (born June 1, 1946 in Dundee, Scotland) is a Scottish actor, notable for being the first actor to play Hannibal Lecter, a role he took in the Michael Mann film Manhunter (in which the characters surname was spelled Lecktor). Image:Http://www. ...

See also

• The Player, another satire of American films.

The Player (1992) is a movie that tells the story of Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins), a Hollywood studio executive who believes he is being blackmailed by a screenwriter whose script he once rejected. ...

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 205th day of the year (206th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Adaptation.

• Adaptation. at the Internet Movie Database
• Adaptation. at BeingCharlieKaufman.com
• Adaptation. at Rotten Tomatoes
• Adaptation. Real Story vs. Reel Story at ChasingtheFrog
• Adaptation. September 24, 1999 draft script
• Adaptation. November 21, 2000 draft script
• Adaptation. Film Review