Susan Orlean on Watching Adaptation With Her 15-Year-Old Son
Son’s response to Adaptation: “Mom, we have to talk.”
— Susan Orlean (@susanorlean) August 17, 2020
Slate's Jeffrey Bloomer got in touch with Susan Orlean this week to find out what happened when her 15-year-old son watched Adaptation for the first time, 18 years(!!) after the film came out. It's a pretty cute article.
Slate: Why on earth did this happen? Susan Orlean: Well, actually, it’s kind of funny, because I didn’t make the decision. I’m sure at various times I have suggested to my son that he should read The Orchid Thief, which he’s exhibited no interest in doing. And I figured, First, have him read the book, then he can see the movie. In any case, out of the blue the other night, my husband said, “So, we’re going to watch—Austin and I have decided we’re going to watch Adaptation tonight.” And I said, “Oh, OK. Cool … I’ll watch with you.” So it was an involuntary commitment rather than one that I sought out purposefully. And it also did kind of undercut my theory that the movie—It would be better for him to read the book first so he could put the movie in context. It didn’t work that way. (Source)