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Adaptation Blu-ray Review

“Adaptation” only gets better with age.

“Adaptation” is an adaptation like any other. The 2002 film is based on the novel “The Orchid Thief” by Susan Orlean and is directed by Spike Jonze and written for the screen by Charlie Kaufman. “Adaptation” itself deals with the socially awkward Charlie Kaufman (played by Nicolas Cage) struggling to adapt “The Orchid Thief.” Elsewhere in the story are plots involving Charlie’s dopey twin brother (Donald) who is looking to become a screenwriter as well, author Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep), and the man “The Orchid Thief” is based on- John Laroche (Chris Cooper). All of these plots eventually intertwine in a very strange way.

After collaborating on “Being John Malkovich” (which is cleverly referenced here), Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman reteamed once again for a fiendishly clever meta adaptation in which the screenwriter actually inserts himself into the story as a fictionalized version of himself struggling to adapt “The Orchid Thief.” In addition to actually capturing the essence of that novel, the drama-comedy also pokes fun at genre conventions, Hollywood, screenwriting structures, the mind of a screenwriter all while giving each character a great deal of depth and exploring themes about obsession, love, disappointment, and creativity. There’s a lot going on in this inventive cinematic treasure. It’s far and away one of the best written films of the past several decades.

The cast here is nothing short of stunning with Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton, Judy Greer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ron Livingston, Brian Cox, and Catherine Keener. The stand-outs here are Chris Cooper (who won an Oscar for his work) as the flower thieving John Laroche, Meryl Streep (who steps outside her normal roles as a drug addicted author who is in love with John), and Nic Cage who gives perhaps the best performance of his career in dual roles as both Charlie Kaufman and his twin brother Donald Kaufman (who does not actually exist in real life).

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? An impressive hi-def transfer all-around.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? While not the most audio intensive film, this is a high quality 5.1 track nonetheless.

Extras include a theatrical trailer, image gallery and a 2 minute original featurette which features behind-the-scenes footage of the swamp location.
 

October 20, 2020 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Adaptation Blu-ray Review, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep, Nicolas Cage, Spike Jonze