The Adjustment Bureau: Movie Review

The Adjustment Bureau: Movie Review

The Adjustment Bureau
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Terence Stamp
Director: George Nolfi
Matt Damon and Emily Blunt team up for this romance-drama with a twist of sci fi and mysticism.
Damon is David Norris, an American wannabe senator who falls for Emily Blunt's ballerina Elise after a chance meeting.
But when he tries to meet up with her again, he's taken captive by a group of shadowy men in suits and hats - they tell him he's never to see her again because it's not "part of the plan."
Despite his protestations, and against advice from this group (who resemble the Observers in Fringe in behaviour), Norris does whatever he can to find Elise - and the powers that be try their best to keep the two apart.
That's probably not the kind of synopsis which does this film justice to be honest - but it's quite a complex film to condense down.
Essentially, what it boils down to is - two people, who have a strong attraction, are kept apart by mysterious forces who may have a hidden agenda.
If I then add that it's from a short story by Philip K Dick, you may get some idea of the layers that are starting to build up.
But that shouldn't put you off.
It's a rare joy to find a film which is original and tries to do something different but The Adjustment Bureau is certainly that.
Blessed with two great leads, it's a conventional love story told in an unconventional - and novel way.
Damon uses his everyman appeal to great effect and Blunt is alluring right from the start - and director Nolfi (who wrote the screenplay) teases out the mystery elements and the motives of the shadowy cabal well.
There's a spiritual element too which bubbles under and adds another smart layer of sophistication again; free will, pre-destiny, true love, moral conundrums - they all play a big part in this film.
Sure there's a level of hokum and frustration toward the end, but the debate the film provokes just about makes up for that.
The Adjustment Bureau defies real description - it's witty, funny, clever and intelligent and not one genre (be it the love story or the scifi) is over indulged.

Worth seeing twice to appreciate, The Adjustment Bureau is one of the freshest films I've seen in a while.