Directed by:
Spike JonzeScreenplay:
Charlie KaufmanCinematography:
Lance AcordComposer:
Carter BurwellCast:
Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Tilda Swinton, Chris Cooper, Cara Seymour, Jim Beaver, Judy Greer, Litefoot, Doug Jones, Roger Willie, Gregory Itzin, Ron Livingston (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
While his movie Being John Malkovich is in production, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Nicolas Cage) is hired by Valerie Thomas to adapt Susan Orlean's (Meryl Streep) non-fiction book 'The Orchid Thief' for the screen. Thomas bought the movie rights before Orlean wrote the book, when it was only an article in The New Yorker. The book details the story of rare orchid hunter John Laroche (Chris Cooper), whose passion for orchids and horticulture made Orlean discover passion and beauty for the first time in her life. Charlie wants to be faithful to the book in his adaptation, but despite Laroche himself being an interesting character in his own right, Charlie is having difficulty finding enough material in Laroche to fill a movie, while equally not having enough to say cinematically about the beauty of orchids. At the same time, Charlie is going through other issues in his life. His insecurity as a person doesn't allow him to act upon his feelings for Amelia Kavan, who is interested in him as a man. And Charlie's twin brother, pretentious Donald, has moved into his house with a goal of also becoming a screenwriter. Despite not admiring Donald as a screenwriter, Charlie asks for his advice. Together, they feel that there is some interesting subtext in the book on which Orlean herself can only elaborate, if only Charlie has the nerve to talk to her. If she can't or won't elaborate, they may have to find out the meaning of that subtext on their own. (Umbrella Entertainment)
(more)Awards
- Winner
- Nominations
Academy Awards
- 2003 - Chris Cooper (Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role)
- 2003 - Nicolas Cage (Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role)
- 2003 - Meryl Streep (Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role)
- 2003 - Charlie Kaufman, Cristina do Rego (Best Adapted Screenplay)
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA)
- 2003 - Charlie Kaufman (Best Adapted Screenplay)
- 2003 - Nicolas Cage (Best Leading Actor)
- 2003 - Chris Cooper (Best Supporting Actor)
- 2003 - Meryl Streep (Best Supporting Actress)
Goya Awards
- 2004 - Spike Jonze (Best Director)
Golden Globes
- 2003 - Chris Cooper (Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture)
- 2003 - Meryl Streep (Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture)
- 2003 - Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- 2003 - Spike Jonze (Best Director)
- 2003 - Charlie Kaufman (Best Screenplay)
- 2003 - Nicolas Cage (Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy)
Critics Choice Awards
- 2003 - Chris Cooper (Best Supporting Actor)
- 2003 - Charlie Kaufman (Best Writer)
- 2003 - Best Picture
- 2003 - Meryl Streep (Best Supporting Actress)
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
- 2002 - Best Film
- 2002 - Chris Cooper (Best Supporting Actor)
- 2002 - Meryl Streep (Best Supporting Actress)
- 2002 - Charlie Kaufman (Best Screenplay)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
- 2002 - Chris Cooper (Best Supporting Actor)
- 2002 - Charlie Kaufman (Best Screenplay)
New York Film Critics Circle Awards
- 2002 - Charlie Kaufman (Best Screenplay)
- 2002 - Chris Cooper (Best Supporting Actor)
Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival)
- 2003 - Spike Jonze (Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize)
- 2003 - Spike Jonze (Golden Bear for Best Film)