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)Cast
![Brian Cox](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269132_a9796e.jpg)
Brian Cox
UK
Best movies:
An Adventure in Space and Time (2013) (TV movie)
Braveheart (1995)
The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) - a.f.
![Catherine Keener](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/269/269037_a9bc3c.jpg)
Catherine Keener
USA
Best movies:
Into the Wild (2007)
Captain Phillips (2013)
Living in Oblivion (1995)
![Nancy Lenehan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/278/278599_328f33.jpg)
Nancy Lenehan
USA
Best movies:
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Pleasantville (1998)
Adaptation. (2002)
![Jay Tavare](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/074/162074300_b29daf.jpg)
Jay Tavare
USA
Best movies:
Cold Mountain (2003)
Into the West (2005) (series)
Adaptation. (2002)
Lance Acord
USA
Best movies:
Adaptation. (2002)
![Peter Jason](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/464/163464111_97d615.jpg)
Peter Jason
USA
Best movies:
Seabiscuit (2003)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Batman Beyond: The Movie (1999) (TV movie)
![Bob Stephenson](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/428/164428823_bf95eb.jpg)
Bob Stephenson
USA
Best movies:
Se7en (1995)
Fight Club (1999)
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Rheagan Wallace
USA
Best movies:
Adaptation. (2002)
Six-String Samurai (1998)
Suburban Madness (2004) (TV movie)