Plot Summary:
Many stories within stories weave throughout this film. The source story is that of Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage), the scriptwriter of this film, struggling to write down the script of this film, which is to be an adaptation of Susan Orlean's (Meryl Streep) novel, The Orchid Thief. The pressure to measure up to his highly acclaimed Being John Malkovich script, the will to not alter the novel's story and his frustration find the book's focal and interest points are the idea of a spread of related stories. These include stories of Kaufman's personal struggles, his relationship together with his friend represented as his twin brother, Susan Orlean's life, the orchid thief John Laroche (Chris Cooper), the lives of Laroche's employees, Orlean and Laroche's relationship, Kaufman's meeting with Orlean and Laroche, plants and orchids.
Review:
The structure of Hollywood movies tends to follow set recipes. This movie is extremely different and had the potential to supply an interesting two hours but it fails thanks to attempts to be too clever and weird. It is easy to follow the varied threads of the movie and that they don't play with our thoughts as they might have nor compare to the thought-provoking ideas produced in the "Being John Malkovich" film.
The acting is good. However, it's hard to spot with the characters, most of whom don't seem to be living in what most of the audience would consider the important world. The character of John Laroche is initially likable but this wanes as the film progresses. The various stories within the film are interesting and a few of the ideas introduced within the film will cause you to think. Towards the top, the stories intentionally become a touch daft.
The movie reviews itself through a number of Kaufman's voice-over narration and Robert McKee's advice to Kaufman within the film. Even this reviewing of itself seems to spotlight its negative points. Its self-indulgence to name one.
This film will probably be overrated due to its quirky nature, even though it is tedious in parts. This film can be as irritating as the person in the cinema with the exaggerated laugh who is trying to emphasize to other viewers that he understands the film's idiosyncrasies and deeper meanings even though they are not that difficult to see. At least with this person, one can amuse oneself by laughing at unfunny parts, just to hear this person laugh louder to make sure it doesn't seem like he's missed something.
The Bottom Line: Quirky film structure and many interesting story-lines but it is a bit convoluted and will not appeal to all tastes.
