Let's start with Charlie Kaufman. He's the real-life screenwriter behind the cult hit Being John Malkovich.

However, Kaufman - as played by Cage - is a seething mass of insecurities who's now been hired to adapt the factual story of an orchid breeder.

Not content with bringing to life the adventures of flower poacher John Laroche (Cooper), Cage has also got to put up with resembling club comic Lennie Bennett.

And his identical twin (also Cage) has moved into his house, and is entertaining hopes of becoming a screenwriter like his respected sibling.

To make matters worse, Kaufman can't make dramatic sense of Laroche's biography, which was penned by New Yorker hack Susan Orlean (Streep).

We'll stop divulging further details of the plot now - not because we might give the game away but to give you the chance to enjoy one of the most challenging films of the year.

It could have been a bloated vanity project, hot on the heels of Being John Malkovich, but this is an altogether more satisfying affair.

The off-the-wall logic is still there... but this time it's welded to a complex yet never confusing narrative and some worldbeating dialogue.

"I can't believe my brother is playing Boggle with Catherine Keener in my house," gasps an envious Kaufman when he learns that bro's swung a movie deal.

Cage is quite simply superb, burying the memory of turkeys like Windtalkers, while Cooper steals the show as the lightning-witted swamp slacker.

Other than the main powerhouse of a plot, there are an embarrassment of good things unfolding on the sidelines.

Brian Cox takes on all-comers as bellicose movie evangelist. "Who are you?" he barks at Kaufman. "I'm the guy you shouted at." "I need more," comes the reply.

Just when you think you're getting a handle on things, the plot lurches up another gear and starts hurtling off into unchartered territory.

It's a testament to Jonze's consummate skill that we unflinchingly go with the flow, never pausing to ask why, lest we miss something.

Adaptation is that rare thing - an original concept that is executed to perfection. To miss it would be a crime.

Tim Evans