JOHN Malkovich, scene-stealing star turn of Johnny English, pops up briefly in Adaptation in an opening link to Spike Jonze's last movie, Being John Malkovich.

That cult movie was written by Charlie Kaufman, and it is Kaufman who moves centre stage in this bravura piece of post-modern film-making.

Adaptation is Kaufman's account of his troubled attempt to adapt journalist Susan Orlean's non-fiction book, The Orchid Thief, for the movie screen. Kaufman does not play himself: instead the role of the self-consciously balding, neurotic Charlie goes to Nicolas Cage, who also plays his (fictional) twin brother, whose crash course in writing a Hollywood blockbuster is progressing irritatingly smoothly.

Charlie has grown too close to the book and is in the grip of writer's block, until ironically he moves closer still by putting himself into the movie adaptation. His research brings him - and his more confident, more Woody Allen-style brother - into contact with Orlean (Meryl Streep) and her lover, the orchid thief (Oscar-nominated Chris Cooper).

Directed with crazy invention, the circuitous yet enjoyable Adaptation is an astute study of intellectual discomfort and unhealthy obsession but like Charlie it loses its way in the closing chapters. Lovely orchids, however.

Updated: 09:21 Friday, April 11, 2003