The
Adjustment
Bureau
Matt Damon
Emily Blunt
Written, Produced &
Directed by
George Nolfi
Based on a short story by
Sci-fi writer Phillip K Dick.
Rating
- 4 Stars
Film
Review By Allison O’Donoghue
Ever
wondered why some things don’t turn out the way you envisioned even though you’ve
done all the right things, got the degree, crossed every T and followed proscribed
protocol? Ever stopped and thought ‘is my path being blocked’ - If so, why and
by whom? Do you buy into Western ideology that if you try hard enough and apply
yourself you can achieve anything you want? After all, we have free will don’t we?
Or do we?
The
Adjustment Bureau may just answer some universal questions, then again, maybe
not.
Starring
Matt Damon as David Norris, a relatively young, aspiring politician running for
a senate seat in New York. He is unmarried, handsome and has a bad boy streak. Hailed
as the new JFK, although like JFK, he is a flawed character who has poor
impulse control. He had such promise until a past event tarnishes his image
when a prank he pulled at a college reunion is caught on film and destabilises
his position. This may not be a big deal, but New Yorkers want a grown up as
their congressman and the opposition use every dirty trick to undo his
progress. Norris has a sad back-story, his parents died when he was young and
his brother had a fatal overdose, he grew up rough on the mean streets of
Brooklyn however rose quickly to the top of the tree in New York City.
His
team go into damage control but its too late. He knows he has to fall on his
sword and enters the toilet at the Waldorf Astoria to rehearse his defeat speech.
He thinks he’s alone, when out pops Emily Blunts character Alicia, who has been
hiding in a cubicle from hotel security after gatecrashing a wedding. They hit
it off. She is open and honest and he loves it. He is surrounded by Yes men/women and she represents a refreshing
antidote to his lonely life. The chemistry is obvious. They kiss, sealing their
connection. Smitten and inspired by her, he gives the best authentic speech of
his campaign securing his popularity with those who already support him and endearing
those he lost.
He
gets a job in an investment company and takes the bus to work. He bumps into Alicia
by chance. He can’t believe his luck. This time he gets her number and again
they hit it off. Enter the Adjustment Bureau, men in hats looking more like CIA
operatives who follow his every move – they are the people who make things
happen according to plan. You see, he’s not meant to catch that bus, he’s not
meant to bump into her again. They have a different plan for him and will do anything
to stop the union of David and Alicia. Because his adjustment minder fell
asleep missing his deadline to spill coffee on him, he caught the bus, reconnected
with Alicia and made it to work on time to see something no human being is
meant to see. He catches them in the act of adjusting - realigning peoples
thoughts. They’ve got to get him; they know he won’t stop searching for
answers. They know he wont quit.
Richards,
the head of the Adjustment team successfully scares him by threatening to reset
him, meaning erasing his memories and reducing him to a mental defective, if he
ever reveals what he saw. Richards burns her number and tosses him back into
his working environment.
He
unhappily complies with the Adjustment Bureau’s rules and regulations for 3
years, until one day he sees Alicia again on the street, which reignites his
passion. He jumps off the bus and chases after her. She’s a strong woman, who’s
been screwed around by men before and has no time for his crappy excuses. He can’t
tell her what really happened lest risk being erased, so he convinces her to
have coffee with him. She feels a strong attraction toward him and gives him
another chance. In steps the Adjustment Bureau again to interrupt their union.
They succeed to a point however David is persistent and resilient and wont let
them control him. He believes he has free will.
The
Adjustment Bureau put endless obstacles in his way, the phone rings just as
they’re about to kiss, his re-election team constantly interrupt him, he can’t
get a cab, phone lines and mobiles go dead. The men in hats (the hats are important)
are everywhere and in all disguises. Water is the only thing that blocks the
Adjustment Bureau from reading his thoughts and running interference. No wonder I need to live near water!
David
is in disbelief and confused they would go to so much trouble to stop their
relationship. Why? What’s it to them? Richards tries to explain, it’s’ off the
plan, its written in black and white, its what the chairman wants’ – none of
these explanations deter David who continues to pursue Alicia. Richards is at
his wits end, David is the hardest gig he’s had for a while most people would
have just given up. So Richards ‘kicks it upstairs’ and brings in Thompson -
The Hammer (Terence Stamp) to finally squash the romance and destroy whatever hopes
David has of winning her heart.
His
ever-vigilant case officer Harry (Anthony Mackie) develops sympathy for him and
helps him bypass Richards. He knows David will not give up until he gets what
he wants. And he wants her.
The
Adjustment Bureau explores similar themes to another great film Stranger Than Fiction
with a star turning Oscar nominated performance from Will Farrell. His character
has to work out if he is in a comedy or tragedy and who is narrating his life
story. Does he move the story forward or stay still and let fate decide his
future? Similarly, The Adjustment Bureau asks the big questions; how much is
our life fate, chance or pre-planned? If your instincts tell you to turn left
but you ignore them and turn right you might have avoided that car accident. Or
because your alarm didn’t go off you miss the flight that crashed and ended in
disaster, ultimately saving your life.
David’s
empathetic minder Harry, seems to have presided over his entire family for
years, informs him ‘its just as bad being 10 mins early as 10 mins late’ driving
home the message that interruptions, obstacles and hindrances are there for a
reason – to stop you from making a bad mistake.
But
what if the need to fulfil an over-riding desire is stronger than your fear of
the outcome?
The
Adjustment Bureau has big plans for David and they perceive Alicia’s influence
will stop his progress.
What
I love about this film, apart form all the esoteric questions, is the role
reversal of the man pursuing the woman of his dreams instead of the woman
chasing the man. It is so refreshing. It’s a love story but with a twist.
Matt
Damon is great as per usual and is such a likeable guy you really want him to win
the girl. Emily Blunt won me over in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ making an unsympathetic
character totally believable. Blunt is excellent In The Adjustment Bureau. The
chemistry between Damon and Blunt is undeniable and credible. And she gets to keep
her British accent!
I
love thinking films and The Adjustment Bureau poses some fundamentals. Why do
people block pathways and what gives them the right? Because it’s not in the plan?
Whose plan? And for what? Is it warning not interfere in the lives of others
and allow them to make their own mistakes? After all it might be the most important
lesson they learn. Is life a test? And when do we know if we’ve passed or failed?
What if the path you’re on feels right but everybody is telling you its wrong?
Who decides? You or them? Are you
too afraid to explore a different path or are you stuck on a path you have no
control over? Are you controlling your life story or is someone driving your
life?
Based
on a short story by Sci-Fi writer Phillip K Dick - The Adjustment Bureau asks
all the big questions, and will have you thinking about your destiny and what role you play in it.
How
much of our lives are planned? How much is preordained? How much is fate? How
much is chance? If we don’t like the way its going, can we change it? Can we choose
the path we want? Why do others block our progress? Why are some doors open and
others locked? Why do some people get what they want? Why do some on the same
path succeed and others fail?
And
most importantly - Do we have free will? If so, is free will a gift that you
need to learn how to use? Or do you have to fight for your right to live the
life you want?
The
Adjustment Bureau is a great film worth watching at least twice.
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