FEST2003

Adaptation
Spike Jonze, director  

 Review by Rada Djurica   

In "Adaptation," another exceptional role has been given to Meryl Streep, who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Role.

"Adaptation's" director, Spike Jonze, is a passionate maker of music videos who has directed videos for the Beastie Boys, Bjork, Fatboy Slim, Puff Daddy... as well as commercials for Nike, Coke and Nissan... Before "Adaptation," the only film directed by Jonze was a comedy, "Being John Malkovich." The film was quite successful when it debuted in 1999. No doubt, Jonze is a director who likes high concept stories, similar to Robert Altman, but then again, also different.

It is very obvious that Spike Jonze is an independent auteur, because in "Adaptation" he mixes a classic studio film with that exciting independent energy. "Adaptation" is sort of confusing in a way, being psychedelically spontaneous. Meryl Streep, on the other hand, fits perfectly in her role. This strange energy might have helped fellow cast members Nicolas Cage, Tilda Swinton and Brian Cox to feel independent and more natural. The movie seems to have been made for fun, not for serious. And I did cry out in laughter when I saw Nicolas Cage.

The story is about Charlie, who has an identical twin brother, who may or may not be fictionalized. In his mind, one of them is talented and confident, the other part is the total opposite. His character represents the modern neurotic American in high class society and it reminds the viewer a little bit of Woody Allen. One twin works on a commercial serial killer movie script, and the other on the adaptation of the book "The Orchid Thief" to a screenplay.

The other two characters are Meryl Streep, the writer of the book, and her friend Florida flower expert John Laroche (Chris Cooper). The result goes far beyond the book's tale.