Charlie Kaufman: Ranking All 8 Films Worst To Best

When Charlie Kaufman originally wanted to write an adaptation of Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief about horticulturist John Laroche, it was a very different film than what became Adaptation.

Kaufman struggled with the lack of conflict and crisis in the book and wrestled with the fact he could save himself a lot of time if he 'sold out' by adding things such as a car chase or split personality. At one point during this process, he decided that a film about him straining to adapt The Orchid Thief would be better than the adaptation itself.

Nicholas Cage plays Charlie Kaufman and his identical (and fictional) twin brother Donald. A fat self-loathing caricature of how Kaufman sees himself and Meryl Streep plays Orlean like an unfulfilled sociopath (how the real Orlean signed off on this portrayal is a mystery). Chris Cooper rounds out the cast as the free-spirited Laroche in an Oscar winning turn.

The film is an introspective and self-aware masterpiece in many ways. Kaufman fully realises his struggles with Orleans' material in real time as his self-doubts manifest in the form of his twin brother. It's a fascinating exploration into the psyche of Kaufman and it is truly astounding that the film ever got approved in the first place.

It may not be his most emotive or best paced film, but Adaptation is an exceptional subversion of filmmaking and the smartest script he's ever written.