Adaptation would all be insufferably clever-clever were its motivation not so genuine. Instead it is experimental, funny, with a tightly-repressed anger and a desire to dig out truth rather than take refuge in the usual artifice.
- , Film4, March 13, 2009
For two-thirds of its running time the film is close to genius. But there's still no third act.
- Geoff Andrew, Time Out, June 24, 2006
It's the sort of movie that keeps reinventing itself and nudging us in the ribs as it does. You'll want to see it soon, because everyone you know will be talking about it.
- Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 27, 2003
Cage gives one of the best performances of his recent career as the Kaufmans. He's a natural in this role, especially when that great horse face breaks into an ingratiating grin...
- Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK], March 25, 2003
Both Kaufmans are played by Nicolas Cage, whose goofy, moon-faced sincerity has never been put to funnier use.
- Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald, March 07, 2003
Charlie Kaufman is a genius.
- Nev Pierce, BBC, February 04, 2003
- Jared Rapfogel, Senses of Cinema, January 27, 2003
Few recent movies have conveyed so forcefully how people can feel shut out by their own lack of passion, how they yearn to end the emptiness.
- Peter Rainer, New York Magazine, January 16, 2003
There's a flash of excitement to this clever film and its performances.
- Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee, January 10, 2003
Mired in the inertia of Charlie's writer's block, as if the real Kaufman never found his own passion for the material.
- Bruce Westbrook, Houston Chronicle, January 10, 2003
One-of-a-kind near-masterpiece.
- Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel, January 09, 2003
- Garth Franklin, Dark Horizons, January 05, 2003
Adaptation is without doubt the edgiest movie of the year, and the less you know about it the better.
- Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile, December 28, 2002
Adaptation may not be the first movie to examine the creative process. But it's the most playfully brilliant.
- Desson Thomson, Washington Post, December 20, 2002
Adaptation is simply brilliant.
- Stephen Hunter, Washington Post, December 20, 2002
Gradually the movie's one joke plays out, and Charlie's doubts about inserting himself into his own screenplay prove to be well-founded.
- Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle, December 20, 2002
It will surprise you. It will delight you. It will give you something truly chewy to take home from the theater.
- Susan Stark, Detroit News, December 20, 2002
It's the most original, exhilarating and hilarious movie of the year.
- Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press, December 20, 2002
Kaufman's carefully constructed screenplay emphasizes so many layers of duality, it's beyond gimmick. It's a world view.
- Steven Rosen, Denver Post, December 20, 2002
What a bewilderingly brilliant and entertaining movie this is.
- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times, December 20, 2002
MA15+
M
