The marvelous Adaptation thread (possible spoilers)

Cafe Society
1

I saw Adaptation a few days ago (hey, it’s Europe: we’re a few months behind on American releases). While I thoroughly enjoyed watching Nicolas Cage in possibly the best performance of his career, I wasn’t really convinced by the film itself. Strangely enough, all the people I was with (save one) seemed to think it was brilliant. Personally, I thought it was contrived, not very original, and not half as funny as the creators obviously meant it to be. I really enjoyed Being John Malcovich, but this just didn’t work for me. Anyone else feel the same way?

On the same subject, does anyone else think Nicolas Cage should have won the Oscar?

2

No, and I hated that movie with a passion. I thought it was awful. But I hate Nicolas Cage, and this movie wasn’t an exception.

3

Yeah, while I liked Nicholas Cage’s performance quite a bit, I found the movie sorta derailed about halfway through and just got seriously annoying. (And yes I get the “joke.” I don’t know why that’s supposed to be subtle or anything – seemed like we were beat over the head with it repeatedly.)

4

I didn’t find it contrived. I found it witty, original, and well-acted.

However, when I walked out of a theater when I saw it, most people came out grumbling in terms similar to the OP.

5

Yeah, I thought it was OK but not great. Maybe I was expecting another “Being John Malkovich”. It’s weird because all the performances (Nicholas Cage, Chris Cooper, Meryl Streep) were really good but the movie just wasn’t that great.

I had to laugh at one point during the movie when my wife leaned over and whispered “Who is that playing Nicholas Cage’s brother?”