The Adjustment Bureau Movie Review

Based on the popular Phillip K. Dick short story ‘Adjustment Team’, this movie has a profound philosophy at its core: Is free will just an illusion and everything in our life predestined? Is everything in our life a part of a divine plan? Are chance occurrences also part of a bigger picture? What if one random event in our life sets off a chain of events in motion that end up changing the future of the whole world? We find the answer as the lead characters put up a fight against everything keeping them apart.

Plot: David Norris is a dynamic and young politician who’s the favorite for the upcoming U.S Senate elections. He is charming, smart and an outstanding orator, all of which is a welcoming change for the voters who are tired of voting for old rich men who just want to be in a position of power. But an embarrassing story about him in his college days is leaked in the tabloids and David becomes a shameful front page story, crushing his hopes of winning. The night of the election, when he’s preparing his concession speech in the bathroom, a chance encounter with a beautiful woman affects him deeply, and he gives a straight from the heart speech, chucking whatever his P.R team had prepared for him.

Thus winning people’s hearts and making him the forerunner for the next elections. He knows he has fallen for her and so has she, as they meet again a month later on a bus, and he gets to know her name. As he gets Elise’s number, David also finds out about the Adjustment Bureau, a group of mysterious men dressed in long coats and hats, who will do anything to keep the lovers apart. These men are Angels, whose job is to make sure that every single thing happens according to “ The Plan Click to look into! >> Read More... .”

As the film progresses, we find out how these men have been keeping control in the world, by minutely adjusting or manipulating small events, which in turn leads to something else to change, and so on. David and Elise are not intended to be together according to this predestined plan. Will the men succeed? Or will David and Elise outrun them?

Analysis: Under the garb of a sci- fi thriller, it’s a romantic comedy of two people in love. Two people ready to take the whole world for the sake of their love. It’s set in a world which has its own rules, and as the running time progresses, we find out more about the rules. The overlying philosophy is almost like a character in the film. How fate controls us like mere puppets? And can we just cut the strings, and make our way ahead? David and Elise’s character teach us an important lesson: You’re not merely pieces in a big game. No one can control you, and you’re on our own. Sometimes, you have to carve out your fate.

Star Performances: Matt Damon He’s known to be the “Hollywood Golden Boy” as he >> Read More... is brilliant as the young politician. The opening scenes with great screenplay techniques and dynamic music complete with his charming smile and confident screen persona is a delight to watch. Emily Blunt Emily Blunt, also known as Emily Olivia Leah Blunt >> Read More... is a pleasing presence, and their chemistry is crackling from their first scene together. The witty conversation which builds up the tension and finally leads to a passionate kiss is a great scene. The supporting cast led by Anthony Mackie’s performance is also strong.

What’s there?

1. An intelligent story, a racy screenplay and an effortless blend of sci-fi, romance and philosophy.

2. The editing is spot on. The movie doesn’t drag even for a second.

What’s not there?

1. With a story with so many possibilities, the writers decided to play it safe, without playing around with the idea too much.

Verdict: ‘ The Adjustment Bureau Click to look into! >> Read More... ’ is well-crafted cinema and scores high in every department. The makers could’ve been a little gutsier. It’s up there somewhere with complicated cerebral movies like ‘ Inception Click to look into! >> Read More... ’ and ‘The Matrix’, but not quite there. They could’ve gone deeper and deeper and gone for more exciting and complex options. Instead, they choose to make the movie simple and entertaining. And it does entertain.