Rating of
2.5/4
"Adaptation" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 01/26/12
A screenwriter struggles with the adaptation of an unstructured and naval gazing book as well as his own neuroses. Adaptation is one of the cleverest and most honest scripts I have ever seen committed to celluloid and is more a film about the process of scriptwriting than anything else. Charlie and his twin brother Donald are clearly two sides of the same character and his struggle to maintain his self respect while at the same time appeasing the studio makes for some very funny and insightful moments. The cast are all great, particularly Nicolas Cage who comes up with easily the best performance of his career. In fact I'm beginning to suspect that there was no camera trickery at all and that there are actually two of him; Charlie Cage who starred in this, Leaving Las Vegas and Raising Arizona, and Donald Cage who was the one in Con Air, Face/Off and Ghost Rider. I would have to say that the final act of the film is easily the least interesting part, something I suspect Kaufman did intentionally to make a point but that isn't a comfort when you're sitting through it. It's certainly a very smart and witty film, but on second viewing I would have to say I understood it more but enjoyed it less. If that makes any sense...
