“Adaptation” is one of the cleverest, smartly written screenplays that has even been transformed perfectly into a movie. Unlike many films out today, the more you think about “Adaptation” the better the film becomes.

Trying to explain the movie is very tough because knowing as little about the film as possible before seeing it will enhance the viewing experience. In the film, the quirky and off-beat writer of “Being John Malkovich,” Charlie Kaufman (played by Nicolas Cage), is trying to expand his style. He does not want to be known simply as the weird, quirky, guy so he takes up the opportunity to adapt Susan Orlean’s “The Orchid Thief.”After reading “The Orchid Thief,” Kaufman realizes it cannot be adapted because it does not have a strong enough narrative. During the grueling process, Kaufman also realizes he wants to make a different kind of film without a love story, action or people coming to a life-altering decision.

What Kaufman is left with is a story about flowers that he cannot make interesting.Charlie also has a twin brother Donald, who decides he too wants to be a famous screenwriter. Donald starts writing a serial killer movie with all the Hollywood cliches and is very successful.Finally, in a fit of fear and anxiety, Charlie decides to write about what he knows, which is himself, and somehow writes himself into the screenplay.

To tell you anymore would ruin the fun of the film.What I just summarized is only the first act, the second and third acts twist and turn in such a way that it is pure joy to watch.Also, the movie wraps itself around reality and fantasy so many times it becomes dizzy.

Charlie Kaufman is a real screenwriter that wrote “Being John Malkovich” and tries to adapt “The Orchid Thief” only to write himself into his movie. “The Orchid Thief” is an actual book written by a real Susan Orlean that had a real John Laroche just like the film.The line between fiction and reality is obliterated by this movie, and part of the fun is trying to figure out what is real and what is not.By writing in this unorthodox way, Kaufman truly adapts the spirit of the inadaptable “The Orchid Thief.”

Beyond the truly remarkable screenplay, there is the perfect direction by Spike Jonze, who somehow captures the crazy zeal of the story.Jonze bounces from time period to time period, and person to person and even incorporates Charles Darwin into the film at one point.Jonze and Kaufman were walking a very thin line between a remarkable piece of work and a huge mess. Thankfully, the two stay on the right side of the line and make an engrossing film.

The three leads in the movie are cast perfectly and blend into their respective roles. Nicolas Cage, as both Charlie and Donald Kaufman, makes repentance for such horrible films as “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” and proves he did deserve to win an Academy Award.Cage plays Charlie as a man who truly despises himself and the world he is in, and plays Donald as a man who truly loves life and all that it offers.Cage plays both of these characters so well they gain an equal place in the heart of the audience.Meryl Streep, who is known for portraying many different kinds of roles, has never played such a truly off-beat character who is much more than she seems.Chris Cooper, who usually plays a very staunch and rigid man, lets his hair down and gets to play a “fun” character.

“Adaptation” is a great story, a great film and a great adventure to partake.I guarantee you have not seen a film like this before and it is very unlikely to see one like it again.You could write thousands of words about “Adaptation” and not run out of things to say.I wish I could say more about how much I truly love this film, but I don’t want to ruin it.After watching the film, talk about it with someone else, and by the end of the conversation you will have even more respect for the picture.