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Did you watch the beginning?

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sjb

In Reply to: Agreed. Adaptation was pissed away in the last 15 minutes . . . posted by albee33 on March 21, 2004 at 09:49:39:

Where he swears that the movie won't have any guns or drugs or car chases or characters that grow or change or learn imortant life lessons. And then towards the end when the screenwriter seminar guy says that you have to wow 'em in the end but don't you dare resort to "deus ex machina." to wrap things up.
The whole point is that CK's making fun of himself for agreeing to adapt the Orchid Thief (he really did try a straight adaptation before it became what it was) and struggling to find a way to make something out of it.
He's also making big fun of hollywood and the typical studio exec's need to have certain elements be in a film no matter what. And, he's making fun of how often something miraculous happens (the alligator killing Larouche) to save the day/wrap up the story.
I can understand people not liking the movie but it always surprises me when people don't get it.

Follow Ups:

Exactly! - LesF 15:38:40 03/22/04 (0)
The movie turns into the very formulaic, shallow, improbable, gory, Hollywood action-thriller that Kaufman rails against all through the movie, as soon as he starts taking advice from his twin brother (his alter ego), and reaches for Success instead of Art. As Kaufman sells out, so does the story! It's brilliant!
Re: Did you watch the beginning? - rico 08:04:37 03/22/04 (0)
Also the mentor absolutely forbids voice over narrative and that takes place during the entire film.
Yeah, but if Bruce Willis, Tommy Lee, and Julia Roberts . . . - albee33 18:36:39 03/21/04 (0)
had been playing the leads I would have paid more attention. My mind shut down near the middle of the movie--I was along for the ride only.
I'm not alone, though!
Very well put - Troy 17:22:01 03/21/04 (4)
I'm also always amused when people don't "get" the end of this movie.
It's a great satire of the Hollywood system.
- The best satire on the Hollywood system wasn't a movie, it was the short-lived TV series Action! - Audiophilander 17:42:40 03/21/04 (3)
  Next to that, I prefer the wit and charm of Shakespeare in Love with it's ingenius modern playwrite allegory. As for Adaptation, it wasn't a matter of "getting it" for me, but rather caring enough about the characters to appreciate what I was getting out of the movie.
  AuPh
  - No, it was "The Player" - Troy 18:29:36 03/21/04 (2)
    The best satire of the Hollywood system is probably "The Player". I have a soft spot for "The Big Picture" too.
    "Adaptation" worked for me. It's overlapping reality / fantasy elements made for a difficult story to follow and thus connect with the characters. I like the movie more for it's plot machinations and clever continuity devices than it's character development. The story was just too cynical to really let you like any of the characters. I suppose it's the same thing as saying you love "Blade Runner" because the sets and art direction are so cool, even if the the other elements of it are flawed, see?
    I could also not see this being a good movie to see in a group of friends at home because there is more likelihood of losing continuity with even a momentary lapse of concentration.
    - Hey, I'd almost forgotten about The Player! You're right, it's an excellent satire on Hollywood! (nt) - Audiophilander 22:51:58 03/21/04 (1)
      :o)
      - Re: Hey, I'd almost forgotten about The Player! You're right, it's an excellent satire on Hollywood! (nt) - rico 08:08:22 03/22/04 (0)
        
        In Reply to: Hey, I'd almost forgotten about The Player! You're right, it's an excellent satire on Hollywood! (nt) posted by Audiophilander on March 21, 2004 at 22:51:58:
        
        Coincidentally I watched "The Player" last night and was going to post something about it today. It is probably the best satire on Hollywood ever done, especially the prison film sequence at the end. And don't forget the over the top nine minute tracking sequence at the beginning. As always, I enjoyed every moment. Altman has had the most ups and downs of anyone in movies.

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