Adaptation · written by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman · 2002

A reader sees Laroche’s article about risking death for plants beside his photograph.

Scene 69 of 202 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Orlean

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 40 min into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 69

Unable to find a conventional story in The Orchid Thief, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman turns his own crisis into an increasingly self-referential adaptation.

Scenes 1–9
Charlie inhabits an isolated, self-condemning world while Orlean’s book supplies a distant model of obsession.
Scene 10
Valerie and Margaret give Charlie the assignment to adapt The Orchid Thief.
Scene 31
Donald’s rivalry and affection give Charlie a living counterpoint to his isolated view of himself.
Just before
Scene 66
Orlean begins writing that Laroche sees a profitable outcome in every situation.
Scene 67
Young Laroche spots a flower on a construction site and falls from the half-built house.
Scene 68
Laroche calls his broken back and pesticide poisoning strokes of luck because they led to money and a nursery.
Scene 69
This scene

69INT. SUBURBAN SUN ROOM - DAY

A prim woman reads a magazine article by Laroche entitled, "Would You Die For Your Plants." There's a smiling photo of a frail, emaciated Laroche next to his byline.

ORLEAN (V.O.)

... because he sold an article about it.