Adaptation. (2002)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Spike Jonze

Country

USA

Cast

Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Cara Seymour, Brian Cox, Tilda Swinton, Ron Livingston, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Judy Greer, Bob Yerkes, Jim Beaver

Storyline

Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) has just taken on a new assignment: to adapt Susan Orlean's (Meryl Streep) non-fiction book The Orchid Thief, which is the story of John Laroche (Chris Cooper), a plant dealer who clones rare orchids then sells them to collectors. While his easygoing twin brother Donald (Nicolas Cage), is writing scripts with ease, Charlie finds himself on a perpetual struggle that never seems to end.

Opinion

Needless to say is that the screenplay plays a major role in the making of a film. But when it comes to creative genius Charlie Kaufman is fundamental to give him most of the credits for the success of the film.

Delightfully bizarre, funny, unique, and well paced, Adaptation. is one of the most intelligent and original films I've ever seen.

Kaufman seems to the best master of destroying the line between reality and fiction - as seen in Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The story sounds kind of crazy - I mean, a writer trying to adapt a book for a screenplay, not succeeding, yet writing a screenplay about his inability to adapt the damn book - but it's pure genius. Equally brilliant is Charlie Kaufman's idea of creating an imaginary twin brother, Donald, that helped both fictional Kaufman, and real like Kaufman writing the screenplay. Also, not only Donald Kaufman is credited as co-writer, but he also got a real Oscar nomination. Isn't that even crazier?

The story revolves around four main characters, seemingly very different from each other, but they can be basically divided into two contrasting groups. Charlie and Susan, both boring and neurotic characters, find balance with Donald and John, both funny and interesting characters.

In his second collaboration with Kaufman, director Spike Jonze, who seems to have left the puppets' wires to Kaufman - see what I did there? -, does a good job, still the direction is outshined by the story.

The acting is surprisingly good, and you know who I'm talking about. Despite the lack of facial expressions, Nicolas Cage brilliantly plays both of the Kaufman brothers, and easily separates them in his portrayal. He has a consistent depressed manner as Charlie, the less confidant and more withdrawn, and he is consistently funny as Donald, the more outgoing and relaxed brother. Meryl Streep is equally excellent as Susan Orlean, the New Yorker journalist that want to understand what it feels like to be passionate about something. Chris Cooper does a wonderful job as John, the Orchid Thief, and brings humanity to the role.

Quotes

Donald Kaufman: You are what you love, not what loves you.

Men in Black II (2002)

Genre

Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Barry Sonnenfeld

Country

USA

Cast

Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Rip Torn, Lara Flynn Boyle, Johnny Knoxville, Rosario Dawson, Tony Shalhoub, Patrick Warburton, Jack Kehler, David Cross, Colombe Jacobsen, John Alexander, Michael Jackson, Peter Graves, Tim Blaney, Nick Cannon

Storyline

Agent Jay (Will Smith) has become a high-ranking member of the Men in Black, while his former cohort, Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones), had his memory wiped clean and now lives a simple but contented life as a mailman. However, they must reunite to protect the world from the scum of the universe.

Opinion

Something everyone knows is that originality and sequels don't get along. However, if smartly played, a sequel can live up to its predecessor, and be fresh. Unfortunately this is not the case. In fact, Men in Black II is another boring, bland sequel, with few moments and nothing more.

The story changes but nothing really changes. Aliens come to Earth threaten to destroy it, MIB pull out big guns and make aliens explode with abovementioned guns. End of the story. 

The authors, probably aware of unfreshness of the film, have focused on the villain, an evil alien who disguises herself as a sexy lingerie model in a leather outfit. They probably thought the audience would have been so caught up by her to never notice the flaws of the fim. The alien in brand-new Edgar suit was a better villain, by the way. 

Main focus of the film are still the special effects and the gags. While the special effects are quite good, the gags are a disaster. Seriously, watching an alien growing its head back after having it shot off might be funny the first time, but you gotta know when to stop it. Enough is enough.

Will Smith's Men In Black has been replaced by Smith's Black Suits Comin' which is not nearly as good as the first song. Also the acting got worse. 

Far from Heaven (2002)

Genre

Drama

Director

Todd Haynes

Country

USA | France

Cast

Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert, Patricia Clarkson, Viola Davis, James Rebhorn, Michael Gaston, Celia Weston, Barbara Garrick, Bette Henritze, June Squibb, Ryan Ward, Lindsay Andretta, Jordan Puryear, J.B. Adams, Olivia Birkelund

Storyline

Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) is the perfect 50s housewife, living the perfect 50s life: healthy kids, successful husband, social prominence. Then one night she surprises her husband Frank (Dennis Quaid) kissing another man, and her tidy world starts spinning out of control. In her confusion and grief, she finds consolation in the friendship of their African-American gardener, Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert).

Opinion

I really had high hopes for this film based on the plot, on the cast, and on the Oscar nominations received. Unfortunately it was a huge disappointment.

While the photography, the set decoration, and the colour are excellent, and the musical score by Elmer Bernstein is outstanding, the film turned out to be a waste of time.

Dull at some points, Far from Heaven not only doesn't have an original idea, but it also deals with two major issues - homosexuality and interracial relationship - in a very shallow way. And God, so much could have been made with those two.

Living in a world full of prejudice, both Cathy and Frank go against the mainstream, the first having a colour-blind heart in a white world, the second being homosexual in a bigot society. Still, instead of supporting each other - they are wife and husband after all - they are disgusted from each other.

Fortunately, the acting is great. Julianne Moore gives a stunning, and touching performance as Cathy Whitaker, and really deserves the acclaim she's received for this role. Dennis Quaid gives a fantastic performance as Cathy's husband - definitely his best performance. Dennis Haysbert is also fantastic as Cathy's gardener. Patricia Clarkson gives a delightful performance as Cathy's friend.

That was the day I stopped believing in the wild ardor of things. Perhaps in love, as well. That kind of love. The love in books and films. The love that tells us to abandon our lives and plans, all for one brief touch of Venus. So often we fail at that kind of love. The world just seems too fragile a place for it. And of every other kind, life remains full. Perhaps it's just we who are too fragile. - Cathy Whitaker