The Adjustment Bureau
Director: George Nofli
Starring: Matt Damon, Terence Stamp
Details: US/105mins 12A
Damon is David Norris, a former New York Senator who's now running for Congress. On the cusp of a landslide victory, a story about his personal life breaks and he subsequently loses the election. That night, he happens to stumble across Emily Blunt's free-spirited dancer and the two share an instant connection. Inspired by their meeting, he gives an electrifying concession speech - instantly putting him in pole position for the next election. But what seems like chance is actually a carefully manipulated scheme by a higher power called "The Adjustment Bureau," a mysterious group who dictate what paths our lives take, and track their subsequent impact on the world. But Damon believes that his meeting with Blunt's character was fate, and will stop at nothing to ensure he meets her again - despite the ojections of "The Bureau".
It's a difficult thing to assemble a smart-yet-accessible film first time around - but that's exactly what screenwriter-by-trade George Nolfi has done. By definition alone, this should be a dense and exposition-heavy production that slowly drip-feeds the audience information, having lured them in with the presence of a movie star. But it's genuinely entertaining without sacrificing any of the promised smarts, and the science fiction element is never forced, either. Instead, it's handled in more of a matter-of-fact manner, which suits its breezy tone - because at its heart, The Adjustment Bureau is really a love story.
Blending politics with science fiction sounds like a heavy prospect. Yet, although it poses more questions than it ultimately answers, using a couple of hokey plot devices (magic hats... Really?) in the process, it's hard not to buy into the whole thing. New York looks gorgeous, and Nolfi's ambiguous handling of the Bureau members is smartly executed. But the real reason to see The Adjustment Bureau is Damon and Blunt, who make a cracking on-screen couple. You will be willing them to get together for the duration of this entertaining, rewarding movie. This is smart, engaging stuff.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
steveos69
Mike Sheridan... You shouldn't be allowed to review movies. "This is a smart, engaging stuff" Really? Not only can you not speak English; this is the dumbest movie ever made. In this day and age we don't need catholic propaganda in movies!
Posted 06/03/2011 23:17:09
Mike Sheridan
How do you know I can't speak English? That review was typed...
Posted 07/03/2011 15:28:06
steveos69
What? Even your response doesn't make sense! Although, I see the article has been corrected. My point is that we live in 21st century Ireland. We don't need crappy movies about how God has a plan for us all. ... and magic hats. For crying out loud! 4 stars? really?
Posted 07/03/2011 19:34:14
Barry
Cracking film. Nice expansion on Dick's short story. Worth checking out!
Posted 07/03/2011 22:47:57
clinteastwood
I have to disagree with the reviewer here. After watching this, as a Matt Damon fan, it seemed to me like he signed up for the movie after reading the plot, but not the script. After the first 15 minutes you realise that there is a reason the movie has a 12 rating and is 1hr 40mins long- its basically a sappy love story with a sci-fi side plot. Although Matt Damon puts in a solid performance, you wonder why he didnt ask questions why in the days of facebook,twitter etc someone could not get in touch with a man in the public eye such as the senator with great ease. Also, why after knowing the girl for no more than 20 minutes he's coming out with lines like "I'm never letting you out of my sight again" and she's not running for the hills. Had this role been left to Ashton Kutcher or Robert Pattinson I think it wouldve attracted a more approprite audience. A shame really, I'd say someone like Christopher Nolan would've made this a cracker.
Posted 08/03/2011 14:37:50
Mike Sheridan
steveos69 nothing in that review has changed since it was published.I think your eyes may be playing tricks on you
Posted 08/03/2011 16:23:21
steveos69
A screen shot would have been handy, but you definitely said "This is a smart, engaging stuff." Then corrected it to "This is smart, engaging stuff." Anyway, my point still stands. If I want to learn about Gods plan for me, I'll go to Mass. I go to the cinema to be entertained. This stupid film missed the mark by a mile!
Posted 08/03/2011 20:03:17
Corcíoch
Steve, Mike's reply did indeed make perfect sense. Writing off a movie because the plot has religious themes is weak tbh.
Posted 09/03/2011 18:06:52
Tyler Durden
Entertaining, but lacked gravitas. If Damon's character was to become President of the USA, thus missing out on the relationship with Blunt, such a purpose should've contained more plot or consequence. I've not read the short story on which this is based, unfortunately, based on seeing the movie, I have no wish...
Posted 09/03/2011 19:21:23
clem
this movie is utter nonsense. no film more clearly defines the seldom used word poppycock
Posted 11/03/2011 19:08:40
PinkPanther
I was thinking about going to see this film so I watched the trailer and read the review. "If you love her let her go" - as original as it is has really put me off and alarm bells are ringing about the authenticity of the script and why it was made. Great scripts are not written to make money. They are written because a writer has a golden idea. I think the writer of this script had watched 'The Truman Show' or something similar the night before and the next day he thought he had a good idea. He didn't.
Posted 12/03/2011 14:38:46
HBarca
I agree with the sentiments of many regarding this, the sci-fi component seemed foisted awkwardly upon the rudimentary lost love plot almost as an addendum rather than as a central theme.
Posted 13/03/2011 14:57:08
niamh7727
I found this film entertaining and most enjoyable! Can't wait to go again before it's gone from cinemas. Why do people read so much into something that's meant to make us feel good???There's enough real crap going on in real life to bring us down. I loved it !!
Posted 20/03/2011 21:14:18
decauxq
This was one of the worst and most ridiculous films I've seen in years. I was bored beyond belief. Terrible films don't surprise me. What did surprise me was the review on this site. I usually value the reviews here and they frequently influence what movies I watch. I would never use the words 'entertaining, rewarding, smart or engaging' when referring to this tripe!
Posted 21/03/2011 10:10:56
Bronagh
If I could have done a Facebook-esque 'like' on Mike's first reply, I would have. Made me laugh anyway...
Posted 21/03/2011 19:08:47
enda
A more deserving movie dealing with the same theme (Carpe Diem) would be Dead Poet's Society. Ignore the reviewer's four stars, it's a 2.5 star movie.
Posted 21/03/2011 20:35:40
Conor
Complete rubbish. This movie made Limitless look on par with The Matrix (part 1). I watched "From Paris With Love" last night as I was bored, even that was more engaging than the God-awful mind-numbingly boring Adjustment Bureau. Instantly forgettable - 1/5
Posted 04/04/2011 14:06:12
brenjamin
I have to say I was a little disappointed with this. The sci-fi/thriller elements had amazing potential (not surprising really as it is a Philip K. Dick story), but it was far too simple and sappy a love story for me. Plus the lost number business... He knew her first name, her approximate age, that she was English, living in Boston, and that she was a dancer.. not very hard track down on Google. And the flipside is even worse, he was a famous politician. She could have easily contacted him whenever she wanted. It was still a good enough movie, but the high rating on here fooled me into expecting better. I'm off out to watch Source Code later, hopefully it will be a bit more what I was looking for from this film.
Posted 08/04/2011 18:07:31
spikeprint
This was a one star affair. Bland, boring stuff, with the one star going to the acting. I find it hard to believe it would get four stars, it was one of the most annoying movies I've seen in a long time. That said, Mike's comment about typing the review deserves the comment of the week.
Posted 03/07/2011 14:24:43
pandabat
Terrible movie - one of the worst that I've ever seen and I've seen many!
Posted 02/11/2011 15:51:44
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Your Reviews...
Succeeding in the difficult task of trying to juggle two genres, The Adjustment Bureau is intriguing and gripping right up until the end, where it falls apart at the seams. - Hanley
David Norris (Matt Damon), a senator running for office in New York City, has a random encounter with a beautiful,... MORE29/06/2011 01:43:21Moreso a rom-drama than sci-fi/thriller... - brenjamin
I have to say I was a little disappointed with this. The sci-fi/thriller elements had amazing potential (not surprising... MORE08/04/2011 18:09:36The Adjustment Bureau- Free Will vs. Determinism - T Crowley
The Adjustment Bureau is a directorial debut for screenwriter George Nolfi who has penned some of the most high-octane... MORE06/04/2011 17:51:16A watered down Inception but still a good film - Eoghan Bolger
The adjustment Bureau Starring Matt Damon and Emily Brunt , directed by George Nofli , this Science fiction romance... MORE24/03/2011 21:27:57
