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ADAPTATION (R)

Plot Summary: Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) struggles to adapt a book into a screenplay.

Reason for the Rating: Language, sexuality, some drug use, and violent images.

Bizarre. Crazy. Zany. Quirky.

Any of these words accurately describes Adaptation, so be prepared to pay attention when you're watching this one! Charlie Kaufman is a real-life screenwriter with several television series to his credit, and the also quirky and bizarre film Being John Malkovich. Adaptation picks up with the filming of Being John Malkovich, showing Charlie on the set of that movie. He's a man who loathes himself, who cannot complete a thought, and who is bound by fear. 

Charlie is hired to adapt the real-life non-fiction book, The Orchid Thief, into a movie. The author, Susan Orleans, is a real person portrayed here by Meryl Streep, and the book is about an ego-centric real-life orchid expert named John Laroche (remarkably played by Chris Cooper). This much is all true. The rest...who can say? Charlie labors over the screenplay, and bits of what he writes are interspersed with sections where he laments his loser status in life. Mixed into the plot is Charlie's twin brother Donald (also played by Cage, but who does not exist in real life, and who, despite the tributes in the end credits of the movie, never did exist) who can't seem to get a job so tries his hand a screenwriting, and, despite his blithe oblivion to the realities of life and Charlie's expert advice, succeeds. 

At times Adaptation is slow and filled with voice-overs to convey Charlie's thoughts about life, the evolution process, and how, according to Darwin, we've all adapted to various situations to become who we are today. At other times it's shockingly violent, absurdly funny, and down-right sad. 

Besides the violence, sex, and drug use, Christians may find the message of evolution and adaptation offensive. Yet there is truth that we do adapt to the situations of our lives, and that these changes define us. The movie also encourages viewers to consider the passions of our lives. While the passions of those in the movie may seem bizarre, they demonstrate the meaning people find in life through what they love and pursue--and how futile these passions are outside of knowing God.

FamilyFans.com Recommends: Adaptation is only for mature viewers who want to think about what they've seen. Even though there are plenty of funny moments, this one could spark serious discussion about pursuing our passions and facing our fears.

After the Show…If members of your family choose to view this movie, use these questions to spark discussion about it afterward:

---Consider each of the main characters in Adaptation. What is the passion of each one? How does pursuing these passions change the lives of these people? What are you passionate about in your own life? How do you pursue this passion, and what difference do your actions make?

---When Donald and Charlie are hiding in the swamp they have a discussion about love. What do you think of Donald's views of loving others? How does what Donald shares change Charlie? How could embracing this view change your relationships?

---Charlie is a recognized screenwriter and appears to be successful to those in his business. But in reality he's filled with doubts and fears that keep him from growing and enjoying life. In what ways are you like Charlie? How can you move beyond the fears that might be trapping you? 

Amy Nappa

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