BAFFLING is the only word I can use to describe Adaptation.

Having read several reviews of the film when it was first released, I was rather looking forward to watching this critically acclaimed and 'hilariously original comedy'.

So did I laugh? You bet I didn't.

It's only after watching the DVD extras I realised that the term 'hilarious' only really applies if you've got some knowledge of the film industry and of screen writing (yah dahling), otherwise many of the supposed jokes are likely to go over your head.

It's almost impossible to summarise the plot without giving anything away, so I'll keep it brief: Nicholas Cage plays a writer who's tasked with adapting The Orchid Thief, a book by Susan Orlean (played by Meryl Streep), into a screenplay.

The twist is that the writer he's portraying is Charlie Kaufman - who actually wrote Adaptation.

Thus, (bear with me here), things become increasingly complicated as Kaufman writes himself into his own screenplay and also follows Orlean herself and her relationship with orchid hunter John Laroche (Oscar winner Chris Cooper).

And just to make things even more confusing - Cage also plays Charlie's twin brother Donald, who is credited with co-writing the Adaptation script even though he only exists in the film and not in real life.

Add in a few crocodiles and a little love interest and if you're not confused by now then I'll be very impressed.

Having said that, despite its complications - and its postmodernist pretensions - Adaptation is hugely original, clever and sincere.

Just make sure that all your brain cells are in full working order before you hit the play button.