Originality blooms with 'Adaptation'

I'm pathetic. I'm a loser. I have failed. I am panicked. I've sold out. I am worthless."\nWelcome to the mind of Charlie Kaufman, folks.\nKaufman is the bizarre yet infinitely talented screenwriter du jour. He returns in both words and presence for his second collaboration with "Being John Malkovich" director Spike Jonze in the equally trippy "Adaptation."\nNicolas Cage headlines the flick as both the neurotic, socially inept Charlie and his dim-witted yet sweet natured twin brother, Donald (who shares writing credit despite being fictitious). Charlie is in the midst of adapting Susan Orleans' book, "The Orchid Thief," following his success with "Malkovich." Unfortunately, the book is a nonlinear piece of nonfiction that's entirely unadaptable. Charlie's writer's block is compounded by Donald's recent success with his dunderheaded novice script entitled "The 3" -- a cheesy thriller that he proudly declares as a "battle between motors and horses, like technology versus horse."\n"Adaptation" playfully bounces between present and past -- even going so far as to show the evolution of man. Much of the film is spent with the divergent twins, but viewers are often treated to Orleans' (Meryl Streep) experiences writing the source material concerning a toothless Florida-based flower breeder by the name of John Laroche (Chris Cooper).\nDespite some of its problems (i.e. a somewhat outlandish third act), "Adaptation" is a staggeringly original seriocomic marvel. Cage gives not one but two excellent performances as Charlie and Donald. Streep toys with her pristine image in a risky role that initially embraces and later subverts her onscreen persona, but the real acting champ of the flick is Cooper. His wiry bundle of heartbreak, hilarity, intelligence and scuzzy sex appeal is a revelation. Ron Livingston and Brian Cox also provide ample support in their respective roles as Charlie's horny agent and a foul-mouthed screenwriting guru. \nAs good as the actors are they'd be nowhere without Kaufman's brilliantly innovative and ultimately very personal script or Jonze's deftly comedic and frequently arresting visuals. This adaptation is a true original.