Film Review: The Adjustment Bureau

Rating: 7.2/10 - Very Good
The Adjustment Bureau is another solid adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story. It does not touch Minority Report but it is still a watchable film with strong performances from its actors.




Director: George Nolfi. Screenplay: George Nolfi. Producers: George Nolfi, Chris Moore, Michael Hackett, Bill Carraro, Isa Dick Hackett and Joel Viertel. Cinematographer: John Toll. Editor: Jay Rabinowitz. Distributor: Universal. Starring: Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Running Time: 106 Minutes. Age Restriction: PG13.

On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt)--a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realises he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself--the men of The Adjustment Bureau--who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path...or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her. Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick.

The best thing about this film is the chemistry between its leads, Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. I must commend Blunt for her matching Damon scene-for-scene. It's not his best performance but he is still solid in this movie.

First time director, Nolfi, tries to keep things moving at a quick pace but he fails in the final third of the film. Nevertheless, I would think it a difficult task for any director to adapt a Dick story into a film well. Ridley Scott's Blade Runner was exceptional, as was Spielberg's Minority Report, but Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly was not as special

It is actually a strong romantic film and not really a thriller. You do not get to see Bourne blowing things up or in car chases around the world. You do have to think a bit, however. Yes, the Bourne trilogy demanded thinking too and this movie is not as good as that series was but I still enjoyed it.

Verdict: This is an enjoyable movie that is worth a watch for people seeking a thinking-man's thriller. It's actually a good date movie and has good performances from its leads.

The Adjustment Bureau is in cinemas now.

Alistair Anderson