The Adjustment Bureau

The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

RATING 7/10

BOTTOM LINE: The story is clever and the performances by Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are compelling, but somehow this film never really fires up in any exciting way, leaving a film that is not as gripping as it probably should have been, given its ingredients.

THE GOOD: The concepts at the core of this film are to do with destiny versus free will. The story introduces this concept of a bureau of ‘men’ who adjust people’s lives to ensure they stay on track according to the grand plan set by the ‘chairman’. Of course, the ‘men’ in question here stand-in for angels, and the unseen ‘chairman’ is God, but this is never exposed in this way, leaving you to fill in your own interpretation of who they are according to what you believe. Matt Damon plays David Norris, an up and coming politician who meets by chance the beautiful and intriguing Elise (Emily Blunt). They have an instant connection, but the ‘Adjustment Bureau’ is keen to keep them apart as they do not belong together in the grand plan. David inadvertently discovers the existence of the Bureau, and they level with him, telling him exactly who they are and why he has to stay away from Elise. However, problems occur when David keeps having chance encounters with Elise, which prompts him to go against the plan so he can be with her, leading to a surprising climax where destiny and free will seem intertwined, despite their seemingly opposed characteristics. The strength of this film lies in its concept, and the compelling performances of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Damon in particular really makes you believe in his character’s plight to find love and happiness with Elise. The machinations of the ‘Adjustment Bureau’ are equally fascinating, particularly when Thompson (Terence Stamp) shows up to give some bigger picture explanations as to what is happening. The Adjustment Bureau is a story about destiny, free will and God, but without a religious emphasis, which makes it all the more interesting to watch in that it feels more like a science fiction film, even though it is not.

THE BAD: The film is not particularly exciting. In a way, it is a chase film, but somehow, the way the extended dialogue sequences are handled, and the lack of any real dramatic stakes, make this film flat and unengaging in parts. If it was not for Matt Damon and Emily Blunt with their compelling performances, and the strong concepts at play in the story, this film would be a rather boring endeavour. Having Terence Stamp in the film was a stroke of genius, but they never take advantage of his presence, and the poor guy just has to punch out exposition for most of the time he is on screen. This is a shame because the film has all the ingredients to be a compelling and exciting story, but it just never quite hits the ball out of the park.

Todd Murphy <br />
http://www.allaboutmovies.net

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

It is so nice to see original movies still getting made.  The Adjustment Bureau is actually based on a short story but it makes for a film that is different from most of what we’ve seen before.  Short stories are often not well known, and this is not a sequel, remake, or TV show being made into a feature film like so much of what’s been flooding the theatres in recent years. 
This film is about a regular guy who one day comes across something that is life-altering.  Matt Damon stars as David Norris, a young man running for U.S. Senate but whose past seems to get in the way of his political success.  Upon losing the Senate race, he meets a very pretty woman named Elise (Emily Blunt) that same night and is completely enraptured by her.  But not long after that, he stumbles upon the men of the Adjustment Bureau.  These are mysterious men who make necessary adjustments in people’s lives in order to keep with a “higher plan”.  They are basically controllers of fate.  No one is supposed to ever see them.  But one of them makes a big mistake early in the film which causes David to witness the men in action.
The men agree to let David go and continue his normal life as long as he agrees to never mention this to anyone.  If he doesn’t, he will have all previous memories erased.  He would basically be lobotomized.  Oh, and there’s one other requirement: he must never make contact with Elise again.  David doesn’t see how that is important and the men do not disclose why either.  But that is the deal.  You can see that he is so enamored with her that is hard for him to move on.  He pretends to do so but it becomes apparent that she is way too important to let go.  He felt that his life was missing something until she came along for some reason.
The film becomes an exciting adventure of David testing how much he can pull off without the men stopping him.  He is determined to find Elise even when they make adjustments to keep her away.  In addition to the special effects and lots of running around, the film offers plenty of food for thought.  How much of our lives are controlled by fate?  Do we have enough control to alter our future ourselves, or is every little aspect already planned out?  The nature of the film certainly has a religious aspect to it, but it plays out in a way that doesn’t specifically address religion itself.  These members of the Adjustment Bureau can certainly be seen as angels.  They watch over us and seem to guide us down the right path.  There is no mention of God; rather they keep referring to the one who makes the higher plan as “the chairman”.  The smartest thing about the film is that it avoids being preachy.  So it’s an intriguing film that entertains but also makes you think as well.  Thank God - or the chairman, or whatever you want – for that.

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Recommendations: The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Se7en , 25th Hour

http://www.examiner.com/movie-in-philadelphia/danny-porcaro

The Adjustment Bureau

After a lengthy delay - the movie was captured on film in 2009, post-production was in early 2010, the original trailers came out last summer, and the original posters promised a September 2010 opening - The Adjustment Bureau has finally made it to your local cineplex. Directed by first time helmsman George Nolfi and starring the popular Matt Damon with the very appealing Emily Blunt, The Adjustment begins smoothly. Very smoothly.

Almost before we've settled in and found the most comfortable way to sit, we are hooked. Damon plays David Norris, a young and aspiring New York politician. He's good looking, he's smart, and he's charismatic. He's running for one of the New York State Senatorial seats and has a decent lead in the pre-election polls.

But it isn't to be. The New York Post publishes a scandalous bit of news from when Norris was a younger man and less serious man, including some unflattering pictures. So the voting public changes its mind voting in the opposing candidate, and giving Norris a crushing defeat. Before giving his concession speech, he's going to meet a mysterious woman in an unexpected place.


Well, faster than we were hooked, he is smitten. It is love at first sight. You can't blame Norris. Elise is played by Emily Blunt, and she's got everything he wants in a woman. She's great looking, witty and clever, and when she says on the bus -
  
He replies, "I was defenseless against the dress."

The main plusses of the film are the two leads, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, the not quite as bad as they seem case officers, and the musical score which adds excitement when needed.

The script had some clever lines but at times they tried to play the mystery card too often. I mean Damon actually asks Mitchell, "Are you angels?".

Recommendations: Chak De! India

Last updated: 2011-03-10 08:22:28 by JustMeMike