Yes, I realize the movie is old, but I had never even heard of it until Donald Miller referenced it in the book I am reading, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: what I learned by editing my life. Miller mentioned Robert McKee and Charlie Kaufman enough to arouse my curiosity in what the rest of the movie was all about. I am not going to dive into detail about the book in this post, but I found it necessary to watch Adaptation and wanted to share why. : )
Anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Not only did I find it fascinating because I am recently getting into writing, and the movie revolved around a writer writing a screenplay (I realize it is completely different from a blog – but still :))….But also because it was an insightful ‘story’ full of good acting, unique quotes, and life lessons...
As is the case with most movies, there were several storylines. I’m going to focus on the main two.
First, Charlie Kaufman (Nicholas Cage). He is an acclaimed writer who has fallen into a depression and is having a very difficult time trying to write a screenplay for the book he’s been assigned, The Orchid Thief. He is overweight, shy, sweats profusely and is unable to make a move on the girl he loves. Meanwhile, his confident, outgoing, ‘wandering soul’ twin brother, Donald, happens to move in with him while he's fighting writer's block. Charlie was always simultaneously envious and embarrassed for his brother (but mostly embarrassed). Donald never seemed to care about what people thought. Regardless of how others treated him or what they said behind his back, he was always happy. Unfazed by the misdoings of the world…and he was happy.
Second, Susan Orlean (Meryl Streep). She is writing a book about an orchid hunter, The Orchid Thief. She is also an acclaimed writer and living ‘a perfect life.’ She has a handsome husband, nice house, and a name for herself. For the book, she researches John Laroche, the front-toothless hunter, and deeply admires his passion for orchids. While spending time in the swamp and learning how the Indians use the extraction from the ghost orchid, she faces the fact that she is unhappy in her marriage and completely out of zest for life. As a result, she tastes the ghost and ultimately finds passion for Laroche (dun dun dun)…
“Adaptation is a profound process. Means you figure out how to thrive in the world.” – Laroche to Orlean
“Yeah but it's easier for plants. I mean they have no memory. They just move on to whatever's next. With a person though, adapting is almost shameful. It's like running away.” Orlean to Laroche
I don’t want to give the ending (you can find it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptation_(film) )
…but I do want to tell you one of things I took from it…
Without a passion, a goal, or a foundation of steel, you have got to be careful of where you let yourself wander (or wonder for that matter – remember the power of your mind :)). You shouldn’t let the world drive your life, you shouldn’t just ‘be’ by happenstance. Get up and control your life. You are the author of your story. Decide the type of story you want to live. Decide what is important to you. And change… (if need be :))
Orlean and Kaufman exemplify this. Orlean lost her direction. Was going through the motions, but was unhappy with her life. She turned to drugs to help her remember how to be fascinated. To help her have passion. And she ultimately ruined her life. Kaufman, on the other hand, came to this realization after having a heart to heart with his brother, who told him, “You are what you love, not what loves you…” and took the actions necessary to turn his life around.
This is the piece that I took from the movie and wanted to share, because it is applicable to me. What am I passionate about? If I didn’t have to work for the rest of my life, what would I do? I’ve got some ideas, but I haven’t yet nailed down THE GOAL….as a result, I am creating myself as I go along, hopping on lily pads. Making myself what I want to be at that phase of my life while staying true to my foundation… It’s working for now… but… I am on a search for my passion. Until then, I will not be satisfied.
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