Our take
A film written by screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, about screenwriter Charlie Kaufman as he struggles to adapt a book about poaching a rare plant into a successful movie. Through Kaufman’s clever writing and Spike Jones’ unique style of directing, the film unfolds using “mise en abîme” as the viewer sees the lessons the writer in film comes across to improve his script more or less subtly influence the events he encounters as the narrative advances. Nicolas Cage’s performance is also particularly good as a highly intelligent and self-obsessed screen writer with low self-esteem.
What it won
Oscars
1 win · 3 noms
Berlin
1 win
Golden Globes
2 wins · 4 noms
BAFTA
1 win · 3 noms
SAG Awards
3 noms
WGA
1 nom
Nat. Board of Review
3 wins
NYFCC
1 win · 1 nom
LAFCA
1 win · 1 nom
The story
Charlie Kaufman is a confused L.A. screenwriter overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, sexual frustration, self-loathing, and by the screenwriting ambitions of his freeloading twin brother Donald. While struggling to adapt "The Orchid Thief," by Susan Orlean, Kaufman's life spins from pathetic to bizarre. The lives of Kaufman, Orlean's book, become strangely intertwined as each one's search for passion collides with the others'.
Elsewhere
"Few recent movies have conveyed so forcefully how people can feel shut out by their own lack of passion, how they yearn to end the emptiness."
— Peter Rainer
"Every bit as clever and surprising as Malkovich."
— Todd McCarthy
The details
Streaming arrival
