Review of film: “THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU”

2011, 03-03:

Review of film:  "THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU" 

        Sometimes, Modifications AREN’T Acceptable!...

I found this to be an “ODD” little movie, based on a short story by PHILLIP K. DICK…  The trailers made it look like an “ACTION” film, with seemingly “sci-fi” elements…  That is NOT what it is:  it’s a LOVE story with some fuzzy “quasi- RELIGIOUS” type underpinnings…

…  David Morris (MATT DAMON) is a Congressman in New York trying to upgrade to a SENATE seat…  But, he has a history of “BAD-BOY” activities that undermine his reputation and make him appear immature.  That leads him to LOSE the election…

…  As he’s preparing a “concession” type speech, he chances to meet an English-accented woman named  Elise Sellas (EMILY BLUNT).  They have an immediate “connection”, & he wants to see her again…  But, they’re interrupted by his Campaign Manager & friend Charlie Traynor (MICHAEL KELLY), who says Matt has to give his speech right away…

…  Some time later, Matt is walking towards his new job.  He’s being watched by a guy Harry Mitchell (ANTHONY MACKIE) who has a book with the “PLAN” for Matt’s life.  He’s supposed to “intercept” Matt--  but gets distracted, & that allows Matt to chance meet ballerina Emily again, on a BUS.  They start to “reconnect” immediately & both want to see each other MORE…

…  Anthony toils for “The ADJUSTMENT Bureau”, which works to REGULATE people’s lives.  His immediate boss, Richardson (JOHN SLATTERY, from TV’s “MAD MEN”), intervenes & causes Matt to be in a large empty room with him & other “Adjusters”.  He in-effect “WARNS” Matt that the “plan” says he “CAN’T” be involved with Emily…

…  Matt resists what he’s been told.  During the discussion, Matt is told, yes, the Adjusters are sort of like “ANGELS” & “report” to “the CHAIRMAN”…  He’s told that he met Emily by “CHANCE" (which they don’t “control”), but the “plan” says he “shouldn’t” be involved with her any MORE as that’s “against” the “arrangement” for their lives…

…  Matt doesn’t LIKE what he’s been told, & tries to “fight” against it. But, the Adjusters have great “power” to CONTROL things of people all over the world….  However, the strange thing is, there are odd LIMITATIONS on their authority:  the “ripples” they control are limited by physical distance from the subjects, by CHANCE, & even by the WEATHER!… 

…  Some years go by, & Matt is UNABLE to “track-down” Emily…  Then, chance intervenes again & he happens to see her by accident…  That & his contrary attitude are very upsetting to the Bureau, & a bigger “boss”, Thompson (TERENCE STAMP), is brought into the matter to STOP Matt & what he wants to do…

…  Will Matt agree to END his involvement with Emily (possibly for her future benefit)?...   Will someone in the Bureau HELP Matt with certain plans he has?...  Will Matt go forward with further political plans he’s had?...  Will EMILY be eager to continue associating with him, or will her own future plans intervene?...

…  The concept has some interesting elements.  The ACTING is good by all the characters…  But, the underlying story-line is frequently WEAK:  it’s so slow-moving at times, a friend at the advance screening literally fell ASLEEP periodically…

…  Of more consequence to me is, the idea that these “all-powerful” creatures can be so easily LIMITED in their powers (by distance and even by certain weather) makes it very hard to “BUY-INTO”  the story line…

…  Despite the intriguing ideas about “FREE-WILL” & controlling our OWN “destiny” & going thru unreal “doors” to travel between various unconnected areas, it came across as so “quirky” to me, that it kept BLOCKING my ability to BELIEVE & “ACCEPT” the premises as set-up…

…  Accordingly, since the “concepts” just were not “EFFECTIVE” in how they came “across” to me, I can only rate this film at 7.25 out of 10 stars…

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