Adaptation (film)

Adaptation stylized as Adaptation., with the period included is a 2002 American comedydrama metafilm directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film is based on Susan Orleans nonfiction book The Orchid Thief, with numerous selfreferential events added. The film stars Nicolas Cage as Charlie and Donald Kaufman, and Meryl Streep as Susan Orlean, Chris Cooper as John Laroche, with Cara Seymour, Brian Cox, Tilda Swinton, Ron Livingston and Maggie Gyllenhaal in supporting roles.

The selfloathing Charlie Kaufman is hired to write the screenplay for The Orchid Thief. Kaufman is going through depression and is not happy that his twin brother Donald has moved into his house and is mooching from him. Donald decides to become a screenwriter like Charlie and attends one of Robert McKees famous seminars.Charlie, who rejects formulaic script writing, wants to ensure that his script is a faithful adaptation of The Orchid Thief. However, he comes to realize that the book does not have a usable narrative and that it is impossible to turn into a film, leaving him with a serious case of writers block. Already well over his deadline with Columbia Pictures, and despairing at writing his script with selfreference, Charlie travels to New York to discuss the screenplay with Orlean directly. Unable to face her and with the surprising news that Donalds spec script for a clichd psychological thriller, called The 3, is selling for six or seven figures, Kaufman resorts to attending McKees seminar in New York and asks him for advice. Charlie ends up asking Donald to join him in New York to assist with the story structure. ........

Source: Wikipedia