Adaptation · written by Charlie Kaufman and Donald Kaufman · 2002

Laroche tells Orlean that adaptation means learning how to survive in the world.

Scene 75 of 202 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act one

Save the Cat: Theme Stated
Laroche

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 42 min into a 1:57 film

The story so farBefore scene 75

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 72
Charlie tries several opening ideas, loses his hair, and cannot settle on one.
Scene 73
Laroche says people began visiting the nursery to admire his plants and him.
Scene 74
Laroche entertains orchid customers while juggling plant advice, phone calls, and an invitation to the swamp.
Scene 75
This scene

75INT. VAN - NIGHT

Laroche drives. Orlean looks out at the dark night.

LAROCHE

I believe some folks'd call me up to talk

and just talk because they were lonely.

Orlean looks at him. After a long silence, Laroche muses:

LAROCHE (cont'd)

You know why I love plants? Because

they're so mutable, so adaptable.

Adaptation is such a profound process.

(beat)

Adaptation means you figure out how to

survive in the world. People aren't too

good at that sometimes.