Adaptation · written by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman · 2002

Charlie tries several opening ideas, loses his hair, and cannot settle on one.

Scene 72 of 202 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Kaufman

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 40 min into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 72

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 69
A reader sees Laroche’s article about risking death for plants beside his photograph.
Scene 70
Laroche explains how disability payments and a new marriage helped him open his nursery.
Scene 71
Laroche and his wife pose outside The Bromeliad Tree for a wedding-era photograph.
Scene 72
This scene

72INT. EMPTY BEDROOM - NIGHT

Kaufman types tentatively. Off-screen we hear Donald's enthusiastic typing and giggling.

KAUFMAN (V.O.)

Movie opens with Susan Orlean typing.

(refers to Orchid Thief)

"John Laroche is a tall guy, skinny as a

stick...

(stops, flips through book)

Movie opens with a young boy picking out

his first pet...

(stops, flips through book)

Movie opens with...

Kaufman stops, scratches his head. His hand is covered with loose hairs. He whines.