The Adjustment Bureau (Universal Pictures)
Angels In America
The Adjustment Bureau has a plot that defies description but thats okay because the romantic core of the film makes up for that hitch. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are the perfect couple on the run from all the outside forces trying to tear them apart. So when you throw in a little discussion of free will versus predestination theology it is all worthwhile.
Damon plays David Norris, a candidate fore the US Senate. When the movie starts things are not going too great in this area. He is working on his concession speech when he inadvertently meets Elise Sellas (Blunt). They have an instant attraction to each other. Shortly thereafter they meet on a bus and have another conversation and their feelings for each other deepen.
The problem is Elise is not in his overall plan, a definite life and career plan that has been pre-ordained. It is up to a corps of supernatural adjusters headed up by Richardson and Mitchell (John Slattery and Anthony Mackie) to get him back in line. These people are usually not seen doing what they do but David stumbles on to them when they are making some adjustments. This knowledge sets up the rest of the film.
Later in the movie the head adjuster Thompson (Terrence Stamp) enters the picture and tries to put pressure on David not to see Elise any more. He is warned that any involvement between the two of them will ruin both their lives.
Damon has not been this romantic in a movie in ages. It shows a new side to him and one that females in the audience will love. Blunt is equally romantic as Elise and the chemistry between her and Damon is wonderful. You are totally convinced they share a love strong enough to change the course of their lives.
Mackie makes a strong impression as the adjuster who is more angel than controller. You have to believe in him to come close to understanding the movie and he makes that happen.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and mild violence.
It might take a couple of viewings to fully understand the complexities of The Adjustment Bureau but you can get the impact of the strong love story on first viewing. Damon and Blunt see to that. For all else, it might be interesting to study the plot but it isnt necessary.
I scored The Adjustment Bureau a heavenly 6 out of 10.
