The Adjustment Bureau

Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Michael Kelly, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Terence Stamp
Directed by: George Nolfi
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Thriller
2011

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: A politician (Matt Damon) meets a beautiful dancer (Emily Blunt) and the two feel an instant connection. However, extraordinary, unbelievable forces are at work to keep them apart.

Review:

Tim: I enjoyed The Adjustment Bureau. It was a refreshingly unique film, a nice blend of science fiction and romance. Too few films attempt to blend those two genres, and this one does so nicely. This is a movie that just feels very different from your typical Hollywood fare. It was nice to watch a Hollywood movie that didn't always feel like one. This film attempted to tackle some pretty heady topics. While it didn't always succeed convincingly, I greatly appreciate the attempt.

What surprised me was that the most interesting part of the movie wasn't even "the adjustment bureau." That was definitely the most unique part, but it still came in second in importance. The most interesting, engaging part of the film was the relationship between the two main characters. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt worked very well together, and I instantly enjoyed watching them on screen. Their classy, solid acting helped this movie feel like more than your average sci-fi film. The potential relationship between these two people was so interesting to watch. They clearly had a connection (helped immensely by their on-screen chemistry), and yet, powerful forces were at work to keep them apart. If I knew nothing else about the movie, I'd be interested. Why are they not supposed to be together? What happens to a man who so brazenly challenges his fate? Would they be together in the end? These are interesting questions, and it helps that we genuinely want to see these two people together. So, the romance part of the film shockingly outweighs the science fiction part. I had no real complaints about these two.

The science fiction is certainly interesting, but it also creates some of the film's weaker aspects. The movie asks us to believe a lot- about the "Chairman," about a plan that was written for all people. However, the plan can apparently change, which isn't what you would expect from an omnipotent being, which is a bit confusing to me. We are also expected to buy that these beings are able to travel around different points in New York, and they can do so because of the magical hats they wear (I am being a bit facetious here, but I am glad that I now understand why Damon was wearing that ridiculous hat in all the trailers). It all sort of makes sense in the film, but when you put it all together, it really requires that the audience willingly go along for the ride. I wouldn't be surprised if some people were unwilling to do so (and I do know some people like that), and I can't really blame them, because I understand. Luckily for me, the Damon-Blunt relationship was strong enough and interesting enough that I was willing to suspend my disbelief, for the most part.

The cast is really good. I am continually impressed with Matt Damon as an actor. Here, he plays a politician (surprisingly believable, by the way) that the audience is supposed to like. He absolutely accomplishes this. I was with his character from the very beginning. Damon is a fantastic actor, and I still think he's underrated. He has a good companion in Emily Blunt. Blunt is one of the best young actresses in Hollywood today. I really liked her in this film, and I thought she worked well with Damon. They aren't the typical idea of a Hollywood romantic pairing, but I thought they had chemistry on screen and I believed in their relationship. They were fun to watch together.

The supporting cast is good, but I especially want to mention only one actor- Anthony Mackie. Mackie really flies under the radar and doesn't immediately impress you on screen. However, over the course of a role, he shows just how good of an actor he is. I really enjoy him, and I thought he was very good here.

With the themes this movie tries to address, there was a danger that the ending would be pretty weak. It is fundamentally difficult to end movies like this in a satisfying manner that wraps up all the loose ends and explains all the unexplained mysteries. The Adjustment Bureau suffers a bit from a too-convenient finale. However, I've read about the original ending, and the finished film one is definitely the right choice. Still, despite their best efforts, the movie's ending is a bit too Hollywood.

While The Adjustment Bureau definitely has some flaws (I'm worried if I think too much about the plot, it would all fall apart), I thought it was a refreshing, unique take. I enjoyed the film and was entertained throughout. This is certainly not a great movie, but it's definitely a good one.



Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Gattaca, The Time Traveler's Wife