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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 the script of this
film, which is to be an adaptation of Susan Orlean's (Meryl Streep) novel,
The Orchid Thief. The pressure to live up to his highly acclaimed
Being John Malkovich script, the desire not to alter the novel's story and
his frustration in finding the book's focal and interest points are the
basis of a variety of related stories. These include stories of
Kaufman's personal struggles, his relationship with his alter ego
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 very different and had the
potential to provide a stimulating two hours but it fails due to attempts
to be too clever and unusual. It is easy to follow the various
threads of the movie and they do not play with our thoughts as they could
have nor compare to the thought provoking ideas produced in the
"Being John Malkovich" film.
The acting is good. However, it is
hard to identify with the characters, most of whom do not seem to be
living in what most of the audience would consider the real world.
The character of John Laroche is initially likeable but this wanes as the
film progresses. The various stories in the film are interesting and
some of the ideas introduced in the film will make you think.
Towards the end, the stories intentionally become a little daft.
The movie, reviews itself through some
of Kaufman's voice-over narration and Robert McKee's advice to Kaufman
within the film. Even this reviewing of itself seems to highlight
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 emphasise 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, on 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.
Best quote from the film:
"We are what we love, not what loves us."
Reviewed by
Niamh Fox,
Premier
Movie Reviews 2003
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