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I think perhaps the role of humor was to highlight the inherent absurdity of Hollywood films.  This film appears original, and in fact, in the beginning, it is fairly unique.  I personally cannot recall many films I've watched about orchids.  However, it devolved into almost every Hollywood stereotype one can think of.  The most obvious ones of course is the sudden and violent ending, the secret affair, the drugs, and the final chase scene.  Basically every action movie I've ever seen ends with a chase and final confrontation with the 'bad guy'.  However, there are many other typical parts.  There is the loser constantly putting himself down but somehow only ever attracting beautiful, extremely accomplished and/or intelligent women who are in love with him despite his flaws (see Woody Allen, Seth Rogen), the minority stereotyping, and even the sibling rivalry.  Basically, most of us have seen this all before.  Perhaps its a parody of movies trying not to be Hollywood.  The harder you try the worse it gets.  The humor and the obvious absurdity of turning the Orchid Thief into another Hollywood thriller is of course apparent, but within it is a greater statement on the film industry.  Charlie tried so hard to reject typical Hollywood screenwriting, but he was a screenwriter in Hollywood, hired by major producers.  If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....