Adaptation

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2:23

Adaptation

R

Released Dec 6, 2002

1h 54m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

208 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Nicolas Cage is Charlie Kaufman, a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald (Nicolas Cage). While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep), Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.

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Critics Consensus

Dizzyingly original, the loopy, multi-layered Adaptation is both funny and thought-provoking.

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Joshua Rothkopf

In These Times

There's no good reason why this should work-the picture is a schizzy, self-indulgent mess-but magically, it does.

Mar 16, 2020

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Adult stuff only but hilarious and fresh.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 2, 2010

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

In the wrong hands, the lunacy could have gotten out of control, but Jonze has near-perfect pitch. He never forces the farce, rooting even Kaufman's wildest digressions in real emotions.

Jul 6, 2010

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

While not quite as absurd as Being John Malkovich had been, Adaptation was indeed plenty weird. (20th anniversary)

Rated: 4/5

Dec 13, 2022

Full Review

Vadim Rizov

Filmmaker Magazine

This is, essentially, a long demonstration of why not to give people more money for them to prove a point about how bigger-budget filmmaking is inherently an artistically self-defeating proposition.

Nov 29, 2022

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

This ceaselessly clever, brilliantly mind-bending film taps into the intangible spirit of Orlean's book by involving the viewer in Kaufman's painstaking translation to the screen.

Rated: 4/4

Mar 2, 2022

Full Review

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, e o drama do filme foi bom.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/17/25

Full Review

Christopher R

Robert McKee's work of total brilliance. Or something. Fun, clever and thoughtful. A wild ride. even with Nick Coppola. Weird as all heck, loved it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

Full Review

Daniele L

As a twin brother and a writer I felt insulted by this movie. Two twins cannot be like this, if a twin brother die, you cannot just run away to save your life, you die inside. This film is just a mind jerk, and the fact that it is explicitly stated does not make it more realistic or artistic. A writer who “wants to be loved,” an ending with hunting and crocodiles...what could be more banal and already seen? I just don't understand how it has won awards. Evidently it's me who doesn't understand. A film about a film written by a person who wants to be loved had already been made by Fellini 50 years earlier and 8 1/2 billion times better. Finally, I wonder how the real author of the book feels about being portrayed this way, from a sensitive writer to a pathetic evil junkie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/20/25

Full Review

Mason M

I'm not sure if this is Charlie Kaufman's best film, but it's probably the most enjoyment I've gotten out of one of his films. I really wish that Jonze and Kaufman made more films together, because Jonze's direction gives a perfect amount of heart to Kaufman's scripts. I really enjoyed this movie because it's the most emotionally driven films of his films that I've seen and gives a great insight into Kaufman as a person. And Nicolas Cage gives a surprisingly incredible performance that makes a lot of this film. Adaptation is a must watch for any fans of the writer.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/25

Full Review

F P

A movie that become brilliant after a few viewing. I you like Kaufman, it's a sure bet. The symbiosis between script and directing is match by Nicolas Cage performance. Everything works if you like Kaufman's script style.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/25

Full Review

A.L.Jude P

Slow burner .. could have been much better that this.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/04/25

Full Review

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Spike Jonze

Director

Nicolas Cage

Charlie Kaufman

Meryl Streep

Susan Orlean

Chris Cooper

John Laroche

Tilda Swinton

Valerie

Cara Seymour

Amelia Kavan

Adaptation: Official Clip - You Are What You Love

2:08

Adaptation: Official Clip - Charlie Can't Adapt

1:51

Adaptation: Official Clip - Technology vs. Horse

2:03

Adaptation: Official Clip - Wasting McKee's Time

1:45

Adaptation: Official Clip - Sweating at the Meeting

2:03

Adaptation: Official Clip - The Deconstructionist

2:09

Adaptation: Official Clip - Donald's Script Pitch

2:04

Adaptation: Official Clip - Done with Fish

1:47

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Adaptation: Trailer 1

2:23

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Synopsis

Nicolas Cage is Charlie Kaufman, a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald (Nicolas Cage). While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep), Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.

Director: Spike Jonze
Producer: Edward Saxon, Vincent Landay, Jonathan Demme
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman, Susan Orlean
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Clinica Estetico, InterMedia Film Equities Ltd.
Rating: R (Sexuality|Language|Some Drug Use|Violent Images)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 6, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.2M
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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