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Waiting for Godot?

katlittrell's picture

While watching Adaptation, as soon as we were introduced to Charlie and Donald they reminded me so strongly of Estragon and Vladimir from Waiting for Godot or Rosencrantz and Guildenstern from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (take your pick). Charlie is the thinker, the brain/head of the two. Donald is the feet, evidenced by the fact he's always eating and by his position on the ground, sliding around on his back when he first meet him. Their faults/virtues also stem from their relative head/feet position. Charlie's issues with adapting Orchid Thief seem to come from his over-thinking things: his concept is that he wants it just to be about flowers. His issues with women are also from over-thinking. It is no coincidence that it is Charlie, also, who has the bulk of the voice over in the film. Donald, by contrast, is almost too "grounded" (see what I did there?). He doesn't seem to think things through too much, and when in need of ideas must turn to his brother.

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