2002, R, 114 minutes

I refuse to write one of those reviews about this movie where I write about myself writing the review. You see, Adaptation is the only film ever made about the making of the movie it is, and many critics think it's clever to do the same thing as screenwriter Charlie Kaufman as if it were an inside joke or something. What I will say is that Adaptation is a sometimes brilliant and extremely witty film, and I'm not going to insult it by ripping off the very concept that makes it unique.

Hollywood movies have been overrun with clichés and cheap gag humor, while true wit and intelligent comedy have become a rarity these days. This is what Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) aspires to avoid when he's first hired to adapt Susan Orlean's book The Orchid Thief, wanting to write something real and not the same old Hollywood bullshit. "Why can't there be a movie simply about flowers?" he asks. This is one of the questions the film raises, and the result is an in-depth and self-loathing look at our screenwriter as he runs into a major creative block, not to mention having to endure the mindless thoughts of his twin brother - who quickly becomes an expert on formulaic screenplay structure ala writing guru Robert McKee. Of course, this in no way comes even close to encapsulating what this movie is really about, as it schizophrenically jumps all over the place.

As fun and original as the plot behind Adaptation is, what makes it work is the constant humor and lack of fear on the part of the screenwriter. Even though much of what occurs certainly isn't true, he has the guts to put himself out there the same way John Malkovich did in another Kaufman-written film, Being John Malkovich. I particularly enjoyed the absurd conversations that take place between Charlie and his imaginary brother Donald, who is stupid, sweet and absolutely hilarious. Many of the jokes will fly right over the head of anyone not familiar with the industry ("don't say industry," says Kaufman), particularly the bizarre world of aspiring screenwriters. But if you do understand it, if you see what kind of level Kaufman is working on, only then can you truly appreciate what he has written and what director Spike Jonze has once again transferred to screen with the skill of a long-time director (this is only his second effort).

Some people have had reservations regarding Adaptation's third and final act, but in my opinion this is where Kaufman shines and what makes the film brilliant. While the first two-thirds are somewhat grounded in reality, the third act is a surreal collection of Hollywood clichés, including a chase, drugs, a pop song, and an out-of-place and contrived epiphany, strung together in an amazingly short period of time. I don't want to sound like some kind of film-snob asshole, but if you "get" what is happening here you should find it immensely enjoyable as both a satire and an ironic concession to formula. Kaufman toys with our expectations and our past movie-going experience, using them to make his movie funny while simultaneously poking fun at the Hollywood crap he seems to despise.

Another reason the film works is the wonderful cast. Nicolas Cage gives what is without a doubt the best performance of his entire career (better than Leaving Las Vegas), portraying Charlie and Donald so well as independent individuals that as the film progresses you never once confuse them. He includes subtle nuances of character and personality, and despite all of the self-loathing we really do care about them. Meryl Streep is also good as Susan Orlean, especially towards the end when her character transforms; and Chris Cooper gives another excellent performance as flower-stealing John Laroche - a real man best described as a "real character."

Adaptation is the type of film that can't be classified - it's about a little bit of everything and no matter what it's addressing it always finds a way to be funny or ironic. Kaufman took an assignment to adapt a book that probably would have made a really boring movie, and the result is a sprawling mess of a film that proves to be thought provoking, hilarious, and exciting all at once.