Added into this mix is Charlie's less talented twin brother Donald, also played by Cage of course, who takes a three-day film writing seminar and ends up selling his screenplay for millions. Actually there are many characters in this film - some fictional as well as real - such as John Cusak, Catherine Keener, John Malcovich who all play themselves. None of them are superfluous, fortunately they all combine to reinforce this twisting and turning narrative and keeps you leaning forward in your seat, thoroughly engaged.
 
Both Kaufman and Orlean are complex, bright, talented writers who also happen to be flawed in various ways. Orlean in particular is sad especially when she remarks that she desires to "want something as much as people want these plants." She essentially wants passion in her life. She finds it in Laroche and latches on to him vicariously experiencing his passion for orchids. The idea of a human going through life without an interest that captivates and drives them is tragic.

This eventually sets up a whole series of events - the irony being that at the outset of the film Kaufman stated that when he adapted Orlean's book he would not make it "an orchid heist movie, or change the orchids into poppies and make it about drug running" - basically saying no to a Hollywood ending. Yet ADAPTATION the film, not Kaufman's screenplay, winds up with exactly that: guns, violence, swamps, chases... well I don't want to give it away. Hope that I haven't. It is breathtaking - kind of like an orchid.