Adaptation. Explained.

[@Whatthehellisgoingonnow]

This is one of th best video essays I've ever seen, almost a film in itself, how you manage to give a video essay a character arc I'll never know. Well done lad.

[@regularshowman3208]

I love how "Doug Walker is bad at film analysis" has become a video essay subgenre at this point.

[@trynottolaugh4211]

5th 4

[@trynottolaugh4211]

8

[@LukeLavablade]

I'm afraid to give you praise for this video. On the one hand, you deserve the praise. On the other, lubricated, hand...

[@M4TCH3SM4L0N3]

It was a bold choice. I may not have loved it, but I do appreciate the courage it takes.

[@wowmao]

jesse, this is a very very very good video. thank you for making this.

[@jaredlingle3623]

Long video but the ending really picks up the pace and ties it all together. Proof that James Tribble is a better writer

[@johnpaulcross424]

Half of my video essay channels uploaded hour+ long videos today, it’s amazing yet somewhat overwhelming. Thank you for the content.

[@nickleland2131]

Have any channels you’d reccomend?

[@discofighter6925]

@@nickleland2131 i would love some recommendations too

[@Thehijosh]

I would also like to know the channels that uploaded all those today :)

[@Jimbo5900]

Also chiming in for a rec, pls John!

[@SnailHatan]

Wow, thanks for nothing, John

[@DanaAverroes]

4 minutes in and I'm already hooked. This is honestly the perfect video and the perfect topic for the perfect time. Thanks Jesse!

[@jderome1]

This man, Jesse Tribble, elevates critiques and essays about film on another level, and it's delectable! I've shown my friend the Lynn Ramsay's Joker essay you did earlier, and man does it still holds up! I'm not keen on using genius, so instead I'll say: this is mastery. Mastery of storytelling, and of editing. It's concise, while being long enough to cover everything that needs explanation. It's funny enough by laughing at your own process. I love it! May you continue to entertain us! And if this would be your final work, I'd be just as happy I've seen such great work. Thank you.

[@t_yler]

It’s a crime this only has 27k views

[@dragonskunkstudio7582]

A video essay to me: It supplies the missing, "I wish I had a friend who was into movies like I was." My friends: "I love that movie!" "Why?" "Don't know, I just do." You focus on aspects I also enjoy, you focus on things I may have not have noticed, both aspect are just as entertaining. I also want to learn about movies because I want to make animation.

[@Tamascsuka995]

You are one of my biggest motivator to continue my art, I dont know what will you do with this channel in the future but my life is one that you have already changed, remember that

[@porqpine53]

My favorite of the early lines in the movie is [paraphrasing]“I could really go for a muffin right now. I shouldn’t think of eating right now I need to WRITE! Banana nut is a good type of muffin” Also good god. Laroche’s speech on orchids in the middle of the film I had to watch like 4 times in a row. It’s beautiful

[@galimardmamanw4608]

Only 16 mins in. The quality, the acting , the shots. Forgot it was a video essay during the first 30 seconds

[@nataliecwine]

I feel like I’m out of the loop on the first 5 minutes and I had no idea what the hell I was watching but the comments all said it was literally the most genius thing they’d ever seen.

[@camilaalimacarmas7104]

I remember watching your series on House M.D. I had really liked the show and had watched it several times over, but I didn’t know anyone who had also watched it and loved it like I did and I couldn’t find any in depth video essays online. It felt like I was the only person who appreciated the show and wanted to have an in-depth look at its story and themes. And then you started making your House M.D videos and they were recommended to me, and it felt like those videos were catering specifically to me. I loved every one of them and waited for the next part of the series to come out like it was my favorite tv show. I don’t know you or if you’re a good person or what your life is like, but you entertained me and made me feel happy, and that’s worth a lot I think. So, thanks for that, and thanks for this video. It all means a lot.

[@El-Mazz]

The INTRO (composition of different clips) - 😍🤩 soooo BEAUTIFUL!! What a piece of art 😇

[@johnpauljones3426]

Man I love you're content

[@budgethornet7498]

Really enjoyed this video. It’s crazy really, to see a entire genre of video change and evolve like I have with video essays. I Think they are struggling. I was in film school through 2013-2015 and I too had a lecturer recommend Every Frame A Painting. Thankfully they didn’t just project plinkett in class. Your line about video essays (at their worst) are just regurgitating the message the subject had is spot on. Your videos are ones I get keen to watch I think because you share your opinion and approach your subjects from a unique angle. And your brother! He did such a fantastic job!

[@EnterTheSoundscape]

One of the best movie analysis I've seen in years, your channel is criminally underviewed

[@CaptainFram]

this is such a thoughtful, well-constructed video thing

[@ScottDonoHD]

I rewatched a bunch of you videos recently including the house series and was wondering if you had stopped uploading. Glad your back bro

[@dergutealtebaum414]

my god you have no idea how hard you it the mark. I feel very conected to the things you mention. I was very unsure of myself and the struggles im facing now but just nowing other people face this too and have to go trough it is reasuring to me. This video came out at a time where i realy needed reasurence and this has honestly made my day a whole lot better. I ussualy dont comment much because my english spelling isnt that great but realy wanted to thank you for this. You helped me, Thank You.

[@ManBearPing]

Genius! now i want Adaptation. Explained. Explained.

[@hyperabs4950]

This is insanity. The amount of stuff this movie tried to cover, layer over layer over layer and meaning behind form behind meaning. Ambicious movies deserve ambicious essays. Thank you.

[@FlanMan419]

This the one of the first of your videos that I have come across with and I love it

[@TheUnd3rd0g]

Omg, i love it, i love everything about it lmao. It is so good and so real. Great punches, good jokes, great acting. subscribed

[@christyseagraves8774]

Definitely worth the wait! You never disappoint, but this is amazing! When I read the patreon intro I wasn’t sure what to expect with so much of you on screen, (literally, as it turns out! 😜) but I am thoroughly impressed. I am, however, going to stop short of calling you a genius, pretty sure you already know it 😉

[@tazotsintsadze7243]

My Favorite Movie with my favorite actor being reviewed by one of my most favorite youtubers, Nice.

[@sameerdastagir7081]

YESSSS YOU UPLOADED!!! I LOVE YOUR ESSAYS PLEASE MAKE MORE

[@MurdockM]

I thought you had stopped making videos. So happy that you're still here

[@Phil-tb7wr]

Its almost criminal how little views this video has, clearly alot of thinking went into it, Imagine punishing an artist because the painting took longer than you wanted, despite its beauty. Thank you for taking the time to make this, keep up the great work mate

[@ToSMaster12345]

Okay picture this. You're me, last day of work before the holodays. To celebrate you are maybe one glass of wine too much into KZbin. Then you see this in your sub box. Man... I didn't know, but I needed this video. Great work!

[@matiasbosques3002]

Wow. I'm used to watching videos from creators I had never seen, binging their stuff for a bit and then completely forgetting about them (even though I subscribed and all that). With you, it's been different. The first Lost video appeared on my recommendations feed a while back and I watched it on a whim. Then I watched part two. By the time I had turned off my phone two days later I'd watched all the videos currently public on your channel (except this one and every other one after it, because I tend not to time travel). When people call you a genius, it's for a reason. Now, I've grown to think that maybe it's wrong to say that about people you don't know. The thing I can say, however, is that I enjoy watching your videos, listening to what you have to say. This one was even better than what I remember from the others, and I don't plan on forgetting any time soon. I wish you good luck on all your future projects... and I'll be watching.

[@emnersonn]

yet another certified tribble banger

[@sbenedikt8057]

Love the way you approach your essays, please keep them coming! I' ve never even heard of this movie but you hooked me anyway

[@Phil-tb7wr]

Time well spent! Loved it all, thanks

[@segatasama]

You wouldn't believe how great of a timing you have with this video. Great work and now i feel quite existencial.

[@HollowIchigo4243]

Amazing piece Jesse. Keep up the great work, 1,2 million subs is not as far as you'd think!

[@WampaLord]

This is it. This is the one they'll remember you for. You superstar'd the shit out of it.

[@Animated_Artist]

This was a great video lot of work went into this was hooked the whole way through good stuff.

[@katyacore]

If there's any way to talk about Adaptation, this is it - adding an extra layer of commentary on the genre of commentary itself and satirizing it, while tying it to the themes of the original movie and Kaufman's greater body of work. Thank you for the love for my favourite Kaufman film! Looking forward to more from you! (imagine this said without the artistic pressure :)

[@jakobkellner6242]

I'm not even a cineast, I just like the way you explain all this stuff.

[@lunalin9870]

This is one of the best video essays i've seen

[@user-qz2ld3vt2d]

Really great video. Keep up the good work :) Dont worry about the ammount of content you make. i rather see videos like these than something that is rushed

[@luchian1232]

I feel sorry that this video did not get the attention it really deserves. Watching it was interesting in many many ways :)!

[@RishiNigamMusic]

This is brilliant. All what you planned to do, executed very well.

[@miguelbueno3350]

Took an entire 5 and half minutes to get into the part where you actually do some talking about the movie…….. very well done gold star bud

[@regularshowman3208]

4 months later and I am genuinely mad this has less views than your last video. This is a phenomenal video essay that rightfully deserves at least 1M views.

[@kamikaroshi6256]

Hey Jesse, I usually write comments for other viewers, but this one is for you. First, the praise: After I started watching, I had to watch your essay in one go. I would go so far as to call this 84 minutes better than any movie I've seen in theaters this year! (2022) Not only because you handled and discussed the source material very well, but also because your "additions", the style you used, your deep insights, the tremendous additional background knowledge, and last but not least, your courage to go so far as to show yourself to achieve the result you were satisfied with, deserves nothing but praise! Especially the "incarnation" of your twin brother, your acting in these scenes and the editing you applied are flawless. The shot where you are lying in bed and your brother is out of focus in the background is the best example of this. I'm glad you put the "Charlie and Donald Kaufman" explanation in the first part of the essay, otherwise you would have fooled me for much longer :) Now about the fact that the number of views of this video essay is way too low. There may be further reasons I am unaware of, but I can only mention these two: 1) Choice of topic: although the film was loved by critics, Adaptation was far from being a commercial hit, and it's about 20 years old, so the viewership that might be interested in an artistic in-depth analysis is limited. But, of course, you knew that from the beginning, and you made it anyway. And I can only encourage you to do it in the future, because when you do what you like, the quality of the results is the highest! 2) Length of the video: 84 minutes is a lot for most people. It seems that they don't like to get invested to much in just one thing anymore. So you have that running against you as well. But well, there are actually long videos that are more successful, and even in the field of movie criticism. I'm not an expert, but if you look at it, you might find a trick, a style, a method that suits you as well. New ideas never hurt, right? Check out MauLer's work (www.youtube.com/@MauLerYT/videos) if you're interested and don't know him yet. I'd like to highlight his critique of the Snyder Cut (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXbJdn2fh6x2r9U), not only because it fits so well here and is 138 minutes long, but he also had a lot of viewers with the unpopular opinion that both versions of Justice League are bad, but Joss Whedon's is the better one. But of course, MauLer is mostly part of the commercial "symbiotic feedback loop," and when he gets out of it, his clicks go down too, as you can see from his video review of "The Father", which didn't get nearly as many clicks as the superhero videos. So maybe there's not much for you to learn after all, and we should instead commend you for being brave enough not to jump on the hype train. Now for the few critical comments I have about your video essay on Adaptation: a) Seeing you jerking off in bed - is really funny and fits the context and tone well. But the scene where the woman bites out part of the conjoined twins was so unexpected, so gross, and felt so out of place that I don't dare watch it again for the sake of understanding why you put it there. It completely took me out of your essay and I had to pause for a minute to cope. Maybe it was intentional, but I think it was too savage and unnecessary. b) Just because you want to discuss a film that has a very broad perspective doesn't mean you have to stretch your own focus so wide as to start at "the very beginning of it all". I really like your montage of "all the great film quotes of the 20th century." It would make an excellent welcome video for your channel. But in the actual essay, it feels out of place. The first scene sets the tone perfectly, then this montage takes the viewer on a wild and fast nostalgic ride, only to return to the "bored and depressed" tone. A simple cut to Charlie Kaufman's "Where to begin" would have worked much better imho. c) The title. At least put a "?" at the end. Or use something similar but not quite as plain as "My take on Adaptation". I know from personal experience that sometimes you can fool yourself if you overthink something to much. Maybe ask someone you don't always agree with but can trust to proofread your ideas, even if it's just for the title (and thumbnails). Honest feedback is worth a lot and can further improve quality. Or it helps to come to conclusions faster and more profound when reasoning prevails against external arguments. That's it from me. I guess Moon and La La Land are next on my watchlist so I can enjoy more essays from you that I haven't seen yet. Too bad you had to remove the Don Jon video before I could see the movie. Keep up the great work! I will keep watching

[@sammenell2897]

I'm sure Jesse will get around to reading this comment eventually, but I wanted to respond with my own thoughts despite not knowing his. I totally appreciate all the effort you put into articulating this comment to be as constructive as possible. It's more well worded than how most parents speak to their own kids, honestly. Fundamentally though, I disagree with a large portion of this comment. Jesse's "trick" or "style" is his innate ability to be as analytical as possible while rarely stooping to emotional outbursts or feeding into "reading the room" and profiting off of the popular opinion. His editing is uniquely clean compared to the average video essayist. I would check out his "Extras" video for his HOUSE review where he spent weeks removing title cards and credits from scenes he was planning to include in his edit and had to reconstruct and paint back in entire people, torsos, you name it, he did it! The dedication to a clean and compressible presentation is more than enough to be classified as a specific method. Additionally, your essay criticism often leads to the feeling of a lack of knowledge about the source material he his actually reviewing or referencing. The 20th century film quotes segment is a reference to when Charlie Kaufman starts Adaptation with the beginning of the universe, and in the film is intentionally "out of place" and placing ridiculous self imposed importance on the story being told, which is the entire struggle of the film: how is Charlie supposed to make this story important? The title is a major portion of the punchline for this essay. Constantly, Charlie refuses to be labeled and refuses to believe in labeling. He denounces screenwriting classes, which by their very nature often railroad writers into simplifying their stories into easily labeled, easily identified stories. I was just in one of those classes and it was one of the worst I have ever taken. That's what makes Charlies work so remarkable is that it is unbound by conventions and mind numbing structure. His films mean so much more than just one thing that it is almost impossible to put into words. That's where the "explained" comes from, the simplistic mindset that someone can watch a KZbin video and suddenly comprehend an over simplified version of the story. And Jesse KNOWS that, he's having fun with it by making fun OF it. So, of course he didn't put a "?" at the end because that would negate the entire point he had made with it, the irony of betraying Charlies ideals. As for your reaction to the Dead Ringers scene, for me it was a hilarious and, yes, also shocking, way to display that brotherly hatred in a way, and its symbiosis. Jesse is using other films to comment on Adaptation. At the very most, he could put a warning at the start of the video, but at that point it would be gretouitous.

[@saharSA1]

Wow, i have no words. I love the movie and love this video just as much (coincidence?). Thank you.

[@Jimbo5900]

This is phenomenal

[@YeNguyen]

Really glad to be following this channel.

[@Joey_Animations]

IVE BEEN WAITING FOR AGES THANK YOU.

[@ChambersChambersChambers]

Truly fantastic work.

[@johnthebarbarian]

This was a great video!

[@sonicscrewdrivr5964]

This video has the best "please subscribe" without saying please subscribe. I paused the video and subscribed for that alone. Some fantastic writing going on here. Now if there was only a way to subtly get a raid shadow legends add read in this video.

[@sourabhnamdeo9580]

I just laughed so hard when I heard "Unfortunately neither Charlie nor Donald are here tonight"

[@KappaHakka]

Wow really good work and it made me appreciate more the movie. Thank you

[@uphillracer]

At this point in his career, I think Kaufman felt that he has been overthinking his craft so much that even the noobiest of beginners gets more recognition than him , and he’s too far gone to be a real player in the industry. Because he loves screenplays so much, he wants to dig deep and show what’s possible. With Eternal Sunshine he wrote my favorite film ever and even got recognition from the industry, only to follow up with S,NY which is really a filmmakers film and shaken heads upon by consumer audiences.

[@apersonwhomakesthings]

I have been waiting for you to post another video and this is an amazing video!

[@Dinkle5000]

amazing work man criminally underviewed

[@jackb5384]

This is a fantastic video, super underrated

[@user-fh2fm7vr4m]

Now that I’ve watched the adaptation of Adaptation, I’ll have to watch Adaptation and read The Orchid Thief. Cheers for another great video.

[@thunderstruck1462]

He has returned

[@ahaangrygem]

Having watched (and unfortunately very much disliked) Dan Olson's new video about the yell-y review man, i was worried when you brought him in as a prop. I found Dan's video ridiculously self-indulgent and needlessly cruel, and choosing the yell-y man seemed to work as well as any other placeholder whose work he didnt respect. It lacked the introspection it espoused to be all about. But my goodness, you really did something here. The use of thay generic hyped up KZbinr style in the third act is inspired and incredibly well executed. Im blown away by the thematic consistency and resonance of this video. Dan Olson, take notes. THIS is how you do introspective, borderline self-indulgent, maddeningly self aware ART. Jesse, count this as one for your spank bank because this is goddamn genius.

[@bupemwenya9794]

Favorite part is from 44:16 to 46:14. The music is so good and the genius part is so interesting.

[@monkeyboy1198]

Even the title is meta oh my god this is amazing

[@thomasulrich3107]

This is really good, very well written, I feel you really got the crux of the movie and what Kaufman was going for. Props to you man! I would also like to point out Cage's performance, I think it's one of his best, it's very different of what he does normally. It's really strange, doesn't even feel like him, very understated.

[@chasethecat2399]

I came for the incisive film critiques, and stayed for him laughing at "Grayd-anus". 🤣

[@byrnhard]

My god... what did I just watch? Mindf*ck the video essay, I guess...? Thank you Mr... Tribble Brothers... Thoroughly entertaining, the whole 90ish minutes. Chapeau! :)

[@goran.mp4]

Absolutely incredible

[@tylertwinkletips1745]

What an exquisite video, James, you're such a handsome, talented auteur. I envy your genius.

[@AV34RUSH]

Great video. Keep up the good work!

[@harrykitchener5597]

That was brilliant man. Im just glad someone else finds those loud “movie critics” as abrasive as i do.

[@edamommy]

Ah so that's what I sound like when I talk about Zack Snyder's Justice League

[@bellat.1377]

Hey the meta question is one I am always interested in. Nice to hear someone else's take on the ideas.

[@Exigentable]

I want to see more of this Super Critic guy.

[@private755]

This is the most meta thing I’ve ever seen

[@ChicagoMonsterPunk]

That was remarkable, thank you

[@hauntedmasc]

you're beautiful, and i love you, and this was more than worth the wait

[@paul_bellini]

Nothing more brutal than Jay laughing in your face. 25:19

[@criticalhit009]

Leaving a comment now to say I'm so hyped to watch this in a few hours. Edit: Fantastic analysis, and wonderful critique of contemporary video essay filmmaking.

[@The420DeLiRiUm]

You will enjoy it

[@felixmonroe2295]

I was hoping if I searched for James Tribble in KZbin I'd find an entire other channel, with the James character as the main narrator. Maybe with one or two short, dumb videos, like "Sonic 2 explained" or "Why Robert Pattinson is the smartest Batman of all time". Great video!

[@nikczemna_symulakra]

That gene for any basic feeling for art making is responsible for self-bitterness and übercriticism. It's a two-legged deal, since the latter directed outwards makes the former possible - as a reaction "i don't like what IS, therefore COULD BE".

[@pantego2591]

Happy to not see any squarespace commertials. i mean happy to see that you go for something new for you while staying true to yourself. the essey is long, dedicated to a movie that only a few zoomers that are into movies saw, and the best part is at the very end! hahah jokes aside the video will be probably be doomed by the youtube algorithm, but it is trully great. I loved it so much. i loved the witty omage to te movie and the parralel to nerdstalgic critic. I feel inspired to seat in front of the blank word sheet. Thank you for that. PS: too bad there was no barehand fight with charlie kaufman at the end.

[@milkteawithoutbubbles]

I moved Adaptation to the front from my giant backlog of movies to watch, just so I could watch this without spoilers and getting the references

[@DanTheBizeps]

absolutely amazing

[@panterxbeats]

you're a genius ;)

[@chandumanoj2656]

This is great! Please keep making these videos...

[@ferferrairo]

you deserve at least ten times the audience you've got now, Jesse. I hope you get there, man - this stuff is great. I've been watching you since the House series but this is my first comment. cheers from Brazil!

[@CirclingTheDead]

I am disgusted that this doesn’t have more views

[@RedheadDevito]

Lovers of story tend to go down an inward-facing rabbit hole after watching this movie.

[@supergamesundco]

He has returned !!!

[@seretoninman]

i missed this

[@felixmonroe2295]

Saying you read all the comments is like catnip for parasocialites (such as myself): you can't add that and not expect ppl to misbehave in the comments. That video was some journey and I mean that sincerely. Maybe my favorite video of yours since the House series, it really did have something for everybody.

[@dee8739]

super excited about this!!

[@ozy667]

Thinking of ending things was snubbed, thats the saddest part.

[@IAEMThatIAEM]

Just the name of the movie, adaptation is brilliant because of the role that Evolution plays in the book as well as the movie

[@AuraSparks]

I want to leave a supportive and inspiring comment. One that really says, 'hey, I see you're a brilliant artist. I'm a brilliant artist too.' They'll pick up on my subtle wit and the nuances of what I choose to appreciate will show that this video really reached me. Then this video maker... what was his name? Then Jesse will feel validated and important and smart. And then I'll feel helpful and kind and good. And then I'll know I'm a worthwhile person. I just have to write the perfect comment, and it will make Jesse and me both more complete, happy people. What a load of horseshit. Everything I say is dumb. What could possibly go in a comment that could be meaningful or impact somebody? Am I really wasting my time trying to make a difference in the world through youtube comments? How pathetic and petty. I used to want to be something. I was going to be something. I was going to be a world famous artist. Such a loser. I never do anything worthwhile. Maybe I'll leave a comment saying how this video helped me turn my life in the right direction. Would that be insincere? What does it even mean to be sincere? Who am I kidding. This video didn't change my life. Only I can change my life. I'm more pathetic than Donald. Focus. How do I leave the perfect comment? I'll say how the way it reflected the movie was genius. No wait, I shouldn't say genius. I'll say brilliant. Brilliant is a good word. If I use good words Jesse will like my comment and maybe I'll feel happy. I'll say how his vulnerability really touched me. Maybe if I pretend to feel, for long enough, feelings will start to come back again. Maybe if I feel more again I'll be happy. Hey Jesse. No, stop. What are you doing? You don't know this person. Don't act like their friend. You don't have friends. You pretend to have friends by watching overly long youtube videos talking at length about media because the real world is made of death and suffering and grief and I could really use a snack. But I shouldn't just eat more doritos. I should eat vegetables. If I eat vegetables maybe I'll be happy. Great video. Really made me think. Keep up the good work! Whatever. That's good enough. No one will even read this anyway.

[@michaeladkins6]

I liked the video right up to the end. 😆