For millennia, mankind has wondered whether humans have free will and make our own decisions, or if Fate, God or gods are really pulling the strings and controlling our unalterable destinies. In The Adjustment Bureau, Matt Damon plays David Norris, a New York congressman who is told by shadowy, fedora-wearing supernatural agents of predestination that his promising future cannot include Elise, a dancer played by Emily Blunt, who Norris meets and falls for in a chance encounter on the eve of a big election. See the trailer below.
Perhaps the strongest parts of The Adjustment Bureau are the early scenes between Norris and Elise as their paths cross over several years. The chemistry between Damon and Blunt is undeniable, making it easy to understand why Norris remains so smitten with her despite the Bureau's threats. And Damon, a close follower of politics who has donated generously to democrats, displays a facility with campaign mannerisms that makes you wonder if he'll eventually run for office.
And let's call a spade a spade: the agents are basically angels in suits who take their orders from God, known by the agents as the Chairman. I enjoyed the idea of God and his angels operating like the boss and employees of a bureaucracy, checking reports and tinkering with events to keep the gears of destiny running smoothly. And in a refreshing twist, the angels, led by Terence Stamp and Mad Men's John Slattery, aren't near omnipotent like the angels in the bible. Despite being able to predict and disrupt events and teleport across New York using a network of magic doors, the agents are exceedingly human, with limited powers that leave them struggling to meet deadlines, complaining about their assignments, and requiring clearance from "upstairs" if they need to deviate from protocol. The film is as much about the agents and their difficulties keeping Norris on his assigned path as it is about Norris' efforts to break from it.
It's because The Adjustment Bureau has so much going for it that it's so surprising when the film takes a precipitous, sometimes laughable slide in its last act as a sympathetic agent played by Anthony Mackie helps Norris hatch a plan to save Elisa from her assigned fate, involving a chase through New York and the revelation that the teleportation doors only work if you're wearing one of the agents' fedoras. I assume the hats are supposed to represent halos, but c'mon -- it's a magic freaking hat.
It's a shame that The Adjustment Bureau, with its sparkling performances, promising premise, and thought-provoking questions about free will, human nature, fate, and the justness of God's motives could end in such a pat, corny heap that's sure to draw negative comparisons to superior mind-benders like Inception and The Matrix. If you are destined to see The Adjustment Bureau, I'd recommend you exercise some free will and catch something else. After all, maybe that's what the Chairman wants you to do...
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The Inception comparison on your part was kind of a low-blow and totally unnecessary even if just to use to bash this movie.
Inception seems to be the go-to movie (for Nolan fanboys anyway) to use to show that other movies are not as smart as the person using the comparison thinks they are.
At least this movie wasn't trying to portray itself as being more than it was or smarter than it really was, and over-bloating itself with an unnecessarily over-complicated storyline like some other movies we know.
Just admit that you didn't like the religious allegory and undertones or perhaps the shoehorned lovestory ending, and be done with it.
It's actually a very well done adult love story with a science fiction bakdrop.
Matt Damon continues to deliver outstanding performances almost everytime hes steps into a role. I was not an Emily Blunt fan going into this movie but the chemistry between the two stars is interesting to watch.
3.5 stars out of 5
my wife and i will probably see this tomorrow. even though i think matt's wrong about the president i respect his honesty and bravery speaking his mind the week he has a film releasing.
its too simular!
A Matter of Minutes
A young married couple, the Wrights, wake up one day to the sounds of constructi¬on. When they get a good look at the world around them, they find everything has stopped. A crew of blue-clad constructi-on workers are busy removing their furniture and replacing it with new. The Wrights run outside to find things being rebuilt that have already existed. The workers set up a crash, and distribute litter in the streets. The Wrights start to go in the direction of the voice barking out orders to the workers until the voice tells them to chase the Wrights
(I LOVE LOVE LOVE each and every Twilight Zone)
(am now confused....)