For those of you (lucky folks) who spent their hard earned money to go see 'Being John Malkovich' Adaptation is a superb follow up. If you are going to see 'Adaptation' to see Nicolas Cage' latest movie, good luck with all that.

To summarize - Adaptation is an unconventional comedy about a writer who, out of sheer desperation decides to insert himself into the screenplay he is struggling to adapt. It's a great idea, until reality and fiction begin to overlap in the most unexpected ways.

Things to know:
In real life Charlie Kaufman wrote the screenplay for 'Being John Malkovich'.
In real life Charlie Kaufman plays himself.
In 'Adaptation' Charlie wrote the screenplay for 'Being John Malkovich'.
In 'Adaptation' Charlie Kaufman is played by Nicolas Cage.
In 'Adaptation' Charlie has a brother Donald.
In real life Charlie does not have a brother but credits a fictional Donald as a co-writer.
'Being John Malkovich' is set in the real world as John Malkovich plays himself.
In Adaptation we visit the set of 'Being John Malkovich'.

Sufficiently confused? Good, you're supposed to be.

Nicolas cage portrays the twin brothers Charlie and Donald Kaufman with a vigor I have never seen from him. Spike Jonze (Director) didn't need to define the characters with a different hairstyle, weight or even dress as Cage was able to do it all by himself. Interestingly enough Charlie Kaufman is also the screenwriter for this film as well, and credited, as a co-writer is one Donald Kaufman, who doesn't exist (as above). To continue to break the fourth wall Kaufman has created and credited a brother he doesn't have.

The story begins as 'Being John Malkovich' is being filmed and Charlie is commissioned to adapt the book 'The Orchid Thief' by Susan Orlean. As troubled a time Charlie is having his brother decides to become a writer and naps through a cop-thriller script ripe with clichés right to the bank with a new perky girlfriend. As the movie draws on Charlie asks Donald for help, this turns the Orchid Thief into the movie titled Adaptation. A clichéd filled ending obviously Ghost Penned by the fictional Donald ensues.

Charlie is rife with melancholy; the narrative (himself) is self-deprecating as can be. Writing and re-writing the screenplay a thousand times to 'Do Susan justice' he ends up staking her to try and get to the root of the book. With the addition of Donald at the writing helm the movie spins out of control into fantasies of wild scenes of sex, violence, drugs and death.

This brilliant screenplay in the hands of Spike (I can succeed at anything) Jonze succeeds in bringing this movie to an even loftier level. Who can say their movie truly begins at the primadorial dawn of humanity.

Adaptation is a fantastic talkie. Requiring just the right amount of audience participation. There is nothing I like better than a movie that hangs with me after I have been to the theatre. It may be confusing, but that truly makes it the better. Most will walk out of the theatre questioning the turn of events at about two--thirds through. This is because they haven't invested enough of themselves into the movie. Some like this some don't. I personally think it makes for a better experience than brainless 'Triple X'.

Adaptation, brilliantly written, acted and directed. Perhaps Cage can start working again, we know Jonze will.

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