Photo Credit: www.filmophilia.com

Matt Damon and Emily Blunt on the run

Grade: B

The Adjustment Bureau presents an interesting genre mix; it seems to have the heart of a romantic drama, only to reveal itself as a sci-fi thriller. Featuring Matt Damon in opposition with another mysterious organization that wants to control his life, the Adjustment Bureau capitalizes on the paranoia of fate and the struggle for free will. It isn’t quite the focused, frantic thriller it presumes to be, but the Adjustment Bureau is an above average suspense flick thanks to the performances of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.

Matt Damon is David Norris, a popular New York senator-elect with an inability to compromise his frat-boy level pranks and misdemeanors with his political ambitions. However, when by chance (or fate) he meets Elise, he develops a love that may drive him to drop his political career entirely. Norris thinks he has found the greatest pursuit of his life in her, until the Adjustment Bureau, a mysterious organization of demi-gods who guide humanity’s fate while dressed like 1950s lawyers, confronts him. The Bureau reveals that his fate has already been scripted to change the world and his relationship with Elise will interfere with that fate; any attempt to change his own destiny will be disastrous for the lovers (fate’s a b***h, to be sure).

Originally written as a short story by Philip K. Dick, the premise is at least intriguing. It seemingly has the ground to ask questions about free will and purpose vs. happiness. Unfortunately, it isn’t clever enough to ask these questions particularly well, often employing characters to bluntly raise the topic with one another. It’s hardly the philosophical study its source material presented.

Director George Nolfi, most notable for having written the script for The Bourne Ultimatum, delivers a mixed show. Given his experience and acclaim from the Bourne film, Nolfi is clearly adept at creating realistic interaction and psychological depth for his characters. He is also highly skilled at drawing the suspense and intrigue from dark, manipulative organizations. And of course, he is also commendable for understanding the awesome power of Matt Damon. Where his specialties fade, however, is in the science fiction aspect of the film. The more we learn about how the Adjustment Bureau functions, the less they thrill us.

The Adjustment Bureau guides the evolution and development of humanity by making minor alterations to people’s lives. These alterations will inevitably cause other changes to the person’s life, and these ripples will ultimately lead them to a new fate. If this sounds like an extremely tedious way to manipulate mankind, you’re not alone (although, to be fair, they did name themselves the Adjustment Bureau and not the Department Board of Destiny). What starts as hokey pretext eventually devolves into ludicrous specifics and unintentionally hilarious dialogue. The Bureau members flick their hands like wizards from Harry Potter; they teleport through doorways like characters from Monsters Inc.; and they claim the source of their powers comes from the hats they wear. If there’s any message to be had from that, it must be this: never underestimate the power of fashion.

The clunky nature of the Adjustment Bureau’s limits and qualities ultimately deprives them of being entirely formidable foes (the CIA has more options at its disposal). In fact, it’s only when Terrence Stamp appears that you start to feel any real threat from the Bureau—Mad Men’s John Slattery is too silly and The Hurt Locker’s Anthony Mackie is too good. As a suspense flick, the Adjustment Bureau doesn’t deliver as fully as it should.

Thankfully, one key aspect of the film is not handicapped by poor design, and it saves the experience. The chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt is perfect; the energy between them is tangible and relaxed, and nothing seems forced. Considering how the premise hinges on the fact that this man must be willing to overthrow fate for his love, it’s impressive how successfully they pull it off. And taking into account that virtually every action/suspense movie must have romantic interaction of some kind, regardless of its necessity or plausibility, watching it turn out brilliantly is a welcome change. Because their bond is so believable, it is possible to accept the film’s drawbacks for the sake of seeing their story through.

The Adjustment Bureau is a flawed science fiction suspense film, but because the leads are so engaging together, you’ll care regardless of how the plot unfolds. It’s not The Bourne Destiny (although it comes close to becoming The Bourne Discrepancy), but it still manages to be an enjoyable ride.