Director: George Nolfi
Screenplay: George Nolfi
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Terence Stamp
One-sentence summary: David Norris meets Elise Sellas and they feel an irresistable attraction to each other but higher powers intervene and try to keep them apart despite how "right" their budding romance feels to them.
Review: I think most of us would agree that we'd like to think our presence here means something. Whether it be to change the world or simply keep it running, we want our lives to have meaning. Some believe that our path in life is predetermined, some believe that it's entirely up to us to make our way in the world.
The Adjustment Bureau thinks we can have the best of both worlds.
The basic idea of The Adjustment Bureau is that there is the titular Adjustment Bureau that makes sure people don't deviate from the plans outlined for them by the "Chairman." They tail these individuals and, if necessary, course-correct in case any deviations occur. The main conflict of the film arises when David (Matt Damon) discovers that he was always meant to be with Elise (Emily Blunt) but then his plan changed; she was no longer a part of it. Despite that, the pull he feels towards her causes him to do whatever necessary to ensure that they can have a future together.
Matt Damon and Emily Blunt really sell you on the idea that David and Elise belong together. There's this cute chemistry when they're together that is a lot like the kind of chemistry you'd see in a good comedy movie, and it's not necessarily romantic chemistry from every angle. David and Elise are genuinely good together, even if you can't explain in concrete terms why. They just... work. It's been my experience that the really good relationships aren't always explainable. I had no problem accepting their romance.
The main reason I love the movie, however, is not because of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt (though it was hard not to be entertained when they had their cutesy moments together). It's its worldview. The movie posits the idea that from birth, everyone is set on a very specific path. Maybe it changes along the way, maybe it doesn't. Because of this path, you're given certain skills, abilities, and opportunities to ensure that you'll be successful in your endeavors. However, you still have the freedom to choose what to do with everything you've been given. We were given free will, and therefore we have the ability to exercise it. Will we follow what seems to be our preordained path, or will we forge a new path, possibly at the risk of losing what could be a very successful future?
Or is free will just an illusion and we were always meant to make the decision to deviate? Is the deviation a part of our path?
I leave it to you to answer these questions on your own.
And that's why I love the movie.
Final word: The Adjustment Bureau is an excellent film that makes you really think, and if that doesn't interest you, at least see it for the chance to see Matt Damon and Emily Blunt be really cute together.
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