Synopsis
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'.
Adaptation. (2002) is a 1h 55min comedy feature film by Spike Jonze. Charlie Kaufman is a confused L. Selected for Los Angeles Film Awards (2025).
Key facts
Cast
Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton, Jay Tavare, Litefoot, Roger Willie, Jim Beaver
Original language
English
First release
December 6, 2002 (Canada)
Production companies
Good Machine, Intermedia, Propaganda Films, Saturn Films
Based on
The Orchid Thief
Awards
Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize, Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
Setting
United States
Crew
Screenplay
Charlie Kaufman
Producer
Edward Saxon, Jonathan Demme, Vincent Landay
Cinematography
Lance Acord
Editing
Eric Zumbrunnen
Music
Carter Burwell
Trailer
Stills
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to write one.
Festival History
- Los Angeles Film Awards 2025
- Deauville Film Festival 2013 generic - La Nuit américaine
Soundtracks
| CD | Adaptation. (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - Carter Burwell, Dean Parker, Adam Smalley (2002) | 5 releases, 2002-2003: Astralwerks, Labels |
Releases & classifications
| Theatrical | Canada | December 6, 2002 |
| Theatrical | United States | December 6, 2002 |
| Theatrical | Australia | December 26, 2002 |
| Theatrical | Sweden | December 31, 2002 |
| Theatrical | Brazil | February 21, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Mexico | February 21, 2003 |
| Theatrical | United Kingdom | February 28, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Ireland | February 28, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Italy | February 28, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Netherlands | March 6, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Finland | March 7, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Greece | March 7, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Spain | March 21, 2003 |
| Streaming | Switzerland | March 26, 2003 |
| Theatrical | France | March 27, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Austria | April 4, 2003 |
| Theatrical | South Korea | May 8, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Estonia | May 30, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Hungary | July 31, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Czech Republic | August 14, 2003 |
| Theatrical | Germany | December 8, 2003 |
| Television | Netherlands | June 23, 2006 |
| Classification | Germany | 12 |
| Classification | United Kingdom | 15 |
| Classification | United States | R |
Versions & editions
| Home video | Netherlands | February 19, 2008 |
Full credits
| Director | Spike Jonze |
| Cast | Nicolas Cage (Charlie Kaufman / Donald Kaufman), Meryl Streep (Susan Orlean), Chris Cooper (John Laroche), Tilda Swinton (Valerie Thomas), Jay Tavare (Matthew Osceola), Litefoot (Russell), Roger Willie (Randy), Jim Beaver (Ranger Tony), Cara Seymour (Amelia Kavan), Doug Jones (Augustus Margary), Gary Farmer (Buster Baxley), Peter Jason (Defense Attorney), Gregory Itzin (Prosecutor), Curtis Hanson (Orlean's Husband), Agnes NaDene Baddoo (Orlean Dinner Guest), Paul Fortune (Orlean Dinner Guest), Paul Jasmin (Orlean Dinner Guest), Lisa Love (Orlean Dinner Guest), Wendy Mogel (Orlean Dinner Guest), David O. Russell (Orlean Dinner Guest), Judy Greer (Alice the Waitress), Maggie Gyllenhaal (Caroline Cunningham), Bob Stephenson (David), Bob Yerkes (Charles Darwin), Lynn Court (Laroche’s Dad), Roger E. Fanter (Laroche’s Uncle), Sandra Lee Gimpel (Laroche’s Mom), Caron Colvett (Laroche’s Wife), Larry Krask (EMT), Ron Livingston (Marty Bowen), Brian Cox (Robert McKee), John Etter (McKee Lecture Attendee), Ray Berrios (Police Officer), Nancy Lenehan (Kaufman’s Mother), John Cusack (John Cusack (uncredited)), Catherine Keener (Catherine Keener (uncredited)), John Malkovich (John Malkovich (uncredited)), Curt Clendenin (Restaurant Customer (uncredited)), Donald Dowd (Cafe Customer (uncredited)) |
| Screenplay | Charlie Kaufman |
| Producer | Edward Saxon, Jonathan Demme, Vincent Landay |
| Executive producer | Charlie Kaufman, Peter Saraf |
| Cinematography | Lance Acord |
| Editing | Eric Zumbrunnen |
| Music | Carter Burwell |
| Production design | K.K. Barrett |
| Visual effects | Gary D'Amico, Gray Marshall |
| Sound | David Abrahamsen, Richard Beggs |
| Costumes | Casey Storm |
Additional data: TMDB.
Source: Wikidata (CC0-1.0)
Source: Cinémathèque québécoise, linked catalogue data (CC BY 4.0)
