Starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Carter, Tilda Swinton, Brian Cox, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Written by Charlie Kaufman. Directed by Spike Jonze. Charlie Kaufman (Cage) has been signed to write the screenplay for The Orchid Thief, a sprawling, nearly plotless account by New Yorker writer Susan Orleans (Streep) about the exploits of passionate orchid and flower poacher John Laroche (Cooper) in the swamps of Florida, who obsessively collected objects from fossils to European mirrors. But he's having a hard time finding the right approach. His life is a mess as well - he seriously loathes himself, has no confidence with women and constantly questions his talent. To make matters worse, his shiftless twin brother Donald (Cage) has crashed in his apartment and won't leave. Even worse, Donald has decided to become a screenwriter just like his brother. He takes screenwriting guru Robert McKee's (Cox) course, and religiously follows the "principles" in writing a thriller about a serial killer with multiple personalities and other formulaic elements. Plus, Donald is enjoying regular sex with Caroline (Gyllenhaal), the makeup girl from Being John Malkovich which Charlie wrote. Charlie can't sleep and is going just a bit insane trying to find a way to make his screenplay work, and tell Orlean's story in an imaginative, passionate way. The full review will arrive shortly. Like Being John Malkovich, Adaptation is a unique, strange and highly original tale about writer's block, but also about changes, the process of trying to figure out oneself, and the desire to be passionate about something. The first two thirds is fantastic. The latter third veers off in another direction trying to tie things up nicely instead of following the free form, semi-insane style that previously worked so beautifully. But Adaptation is still an excellent look at the creative process, very funny, with some great performances. If you would like to respond, please click the E-Mail Press Here To Go To The Review List Page