Review of Adaptation. (2002) by Paul B — 02 Jan 2014
By now I can split Charlie Kaufman's movies into two categories: "Love" and "Hate." It all comes down to whether or not I like the characters, because the creativity and complexity are a given.
In this case, it's hard for me to know for sure what I'd think of the film if I myself wasn't interested in screenwriting, but as it is, I can absolutely relate to the main character, more than I like to admit.
Cage gives two of the best performances of his career, each made better by the need to coexist in the same frame. Kaufman brings to center stage what is arguably the most invisible writing job of them all, and he does so with plenty of self-deprecating humor, not to mention some hall-of-mirrors self-reflexivity.
But the film is about so much more than writing, and that's where it really soars. It touches on themes of ambition, loneliness, our interdependence with other people, inspiration (plus the history of life on earth).
.. It points the finger at the movies for their silliness and established rules, only to finally embrace those rules and remind us that, despite the silliness, the best movies may yet have something to tell us about life.
This review of Adaptation. (2002) was written by Paul B on 02 Jan 2014.
Adaptation. has generally received very positive reviews.
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