Rating:  

Media Rights Capital, Gambit Pictures, Electric Shepherd Productions, and Universal Pictures.

Written by: George Nolfi, adapted from the short story “Adjustment Team” by Philip K. Dick.

Although presented as an action/sci-fi adventure film, “The Adjustment Bureau” is not at all the big-budget summer-style blowout movie some might anticipate. More cerebral, both to its benefit and detriment, “The Adjustment Bureau” strives to be a deep and thought-provoking piece on free will and fate and whether the choices we make are self-driven, by chance, or influenced by a “plan”. The ambitious premise comes from the late novelist, Philip K. Dick, and his 1954 short story, “The Adjustment Team”. Those familiar with the story will note some significant differences between the film and the source material. On screen, the story tries to find a unique tone and voice, is engaging and likable, and is effective for much of its running time; even if the film’s narrative introduces more questions than writer and first-time director George Nolfi seems comfortable enough to answer.

Democratic New York congressman David Norris (Matt Damon) is rolling to re-election and is well-beloved by his constituency. His opposition seems to hold little chance of unseating the incumbent until a scandal breaks from David’s wild college days which effectively turns the tide of the race. On election night, Norris is preparing his concession speech in an empty bathroom when he inexplicably encounters a mysterious woman, whom he later comes to know as Elise (Emily Blunt), hiding out there. Elise is kind to David and encourages him to be honest and forthright in his speech. More importantly, they spark an immediate connection and exchange a kiss. Norris, with a bit of a refreshed outlook on life from this fleeting encounter, delivers a memorable and off-the-cuff speech which reveals honest truths about the political process and the “show” that goes into political campaigning. The speech revitalizes Norris in the eyes of voters and his status is somewhat restored.

A couple of months later and early one morning, a man, clad in a suit and fedora, is advised that at a particular point in time, David must spill his coffee. Unfortunately the man falls asleep and misses his assignment. On his way to work, David boards a bus, coffee in tact, and shockingly finds Elise in a seat all alone. Sitting next to her, the chemistry rekindles, and David and Elise immediately reintroduce themselves and begin a flirtatious back and forth. Making that bus on time has reaped a huge surprise for both David and Elise, but could potentially alter the course of the universe for both of them. As we soon learn, and David encounters first hand, in the shadows and out of our sights are a group of covert agents known as “The Bureau” who enforce “The Plan”; i.e. the paths we are all destined to follow. David’s spilling of that cup of coffee was part of his and Elise’s respective “plans” and without it occurring, everything could potentially unravel.

From this point on, the intriguing story is punctuated nicely by another confident and well-acted performance by Matt Damon and more engaging work from Emily Blunt. Arguably the finest moments in “The Adjustment Bureau” rest within the undeniable chemistry between Damon and Blunt. Simply stated, David and Elise are wonderful together and Damon and Blunt bring forth a believable love and passion for one another. As David gets separated time and time again from Elise, he learns of “The Plan” and is told that he has been exposed to something only a select few have ever seen. Desperate to learn why he cannot be with the woman he believes he is destined to be with, the agents affiliated with The Bureau reveal some sad realities which leave David to question everything he has ever believed to be true about chance, fate, and the notion of free will.

While “The Adjustment Bureau” raises some very exciting and nuanced questions and theories about the lives we all live and why people do the things they do, eventually George Nolfi moves the film away from the profound underpinnings of the plot and shifts attentions to the love story. And while Damon and Blunt are terrific, the film lags and stutters a bit at the transition. Never truly an action film, we do not have big epic car chases and explosions to witness here. And although its themes do classify the film as a science-fiction piece, much of the film is steeped in the realities all around us. So we also have no aliens or unexplained phenomenon to chew on and consider. And yet, by trying to keep his film pulsing through the realistic underground and above-ground of New York City, Nolfi’s film survives and works quite nicely at times. Marketed as a thinking person’s hybrid between the action and science-fiction world, some may be disappointed to find the film is, at its core, a dialogue-heavy love story and largely lacking moments that are intense, unsettling, or frightening. Once it plays itself out, I can see some people feeling a bit cheated by the softness of the tale as told.

For me, however, the lack of CGI and the attempts to keep things organic and real resonated with me. And in a world of 3-D this and 3-D that, with studios being caught up in a rat race for the latest, loudest, and biggest spectacle or effect, I found the film somewhat refreshing in its avoidance of such gimmicks. But I will say, in anticipation that there may never be an “Adjustment Bureau 2″, the final moments are clumsy and awkward. A film with this much ambition begs for more concrete resolution.

Perhaps, Philip Dick wraps it up better in his novella. However, with George Nolfi’s adaptation taking considerable time to introduce us to the parameters and rules of the world David and Elise, and essentially all of us find ourselves living in, it is quite a risk to leave the bigger concepts unanswered or to quaintly and sweetly wrap all of this up in a neat and tidy little bow.

Should I See It?

YES

For something different in the action/sci-fi realm, “The Adjustment Bureau” is a nice diversion from the empty-headed big budget movies we endure every summer.

The appeal of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt will strike a chord with men and women. They are wonderful together on screen.

Definitely a conversation starter of a film, even if it abandons the things you will want to take about by the end.

A fedora has never played a more important role in a film.

NO

Those who seek out cerebral stories, who may be intrigued by the premise, or familiar with the Philip Dick short story, will be undoubtedly disappointed where this ends up.

Marketed as more action-intense, the heavy dialogue and exposition will serve as a surprise to those going for explosions, car chases, and shoot-em-up action sequences.

Admittedly, the term “deus ex machina” comes to mind when its over.

Oddly devoid of scares or intensity, the film may simply be too light and lack the intensity many need for it to be truly memorable.