FILM 2251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Charlie Kaufman, Radical Translation
9 Feb 2020
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Document Summary
Adaptation successfully demonstrates how difficult the process of adaptation actually is. The first half of adaptation shows how messy the process of translating text to film actually is. Kaufman is a successful screenwriter daunted with the task of translating susan orlean"s novel the. Charlie strives for his adaptation to avoid the common hollywood tropes of car chases, gun fights, and drug running. Instead, he starts writing with the purpose of creating a literal translation that stays true to the original text. As charlie attempts to create a literal translation, he finds himself with the issue of entertainment value. Adaptation is a very meta film, as it demonstrates charlie"s increasing frustration as the film goes on. Charlie gets desperate and eventually even writes himself into the film. With the first half of adaptation being a pretty boring literal adaptation of the orchid thief, charlie calls upon his twin brother donald to save the film.
