Ahhh, here we go again. Another Sc-Fi thriller to define the year banking on the success of Inception. This is, in actual fact,an apparent mind blowing science fiction film according to the adverts "the most mind blowing film since Inception ". Well seeing as inception is that mind bending and game changing film, then "The Adjustment Bureau" hasn't got much competition. But this heady mixture of romance and popcorn cinema mixed in with a twist of Science fiction is based around the Philip K dick short story "Adjustment team". A Phillip K dick adaptation will have all the trade marks of his character- a heady and always metaphysical look at life, mankind and according to the Adjustment Bureau fate.
Not on the grand scheme of the plan, Matt Damon plays David Norris a Governor for the great city of New York, who has a chance encounter with Emily Blunts character Elise,who changes the hollow and vote obsessed Matt Damon to to find something else in his life. Moving on through time and he has another chance encounter with Elise. Nothing wrong with that, right?. Yet we know he should never see her again as The Adjustment Bureau (the guys who make sure everything happens according to "The Plan") bluntly put it to David. He now knows that behind every decision he makes, there is someone pulling the strings, if you ever spill your coffee again you'll know who to blame. They reason with him. He knows that he cant see Elise and he knows he can never be with her but he knows that if he leaks there secrets he will be terminated, wiped, gone from the face of the planet.
With this in mind, we know have to rules. 1- you can't be with her. 2-You can't avert from the plan. 3- If you talk, your history and lastly 4- if you go with her you ruin your dreams, your path and hers "Elise will be one of the top dancers in the country and eventually one of top choreographer's in the world, if she goes with you she will be teaching dance lessons to Six Year old's" says the perfectly cast Terrence stamp. The Adjustment bureau will delight some; a great concoction of philosophical ideas about our existence and place on gods green earth while remaining a highly original piece of cinematic entertainment. It's that rare moment with Hollywood films, a film that never sacrifices intellect for some overblown set piece or even better, a film that doesn't forget that it's audiences do have brains.
I like The Adjustment Bureau for that reason. The special effects that are used are impressive. The main way the bureau know everything and can travel so fast are through any doors and oddly enough those hat's that look straight out of an episode of Mad Men is what gives them their power, so much for blending in with the crowds. When the door's open, the special effects do take over, but it strangely feels natural and authentic, as if i were went up to a door on any day, turned the handle clockwise and i would be able to avoid the overpriced charges of the local transport system. Nolfi (oceans 12, Bourne writer and The Adjustment bureaus director) could have easily turned this adaptation into an overblown distopia, with tacked on 3D but instead we are in today's version of New York, no 3D and with a crackling script to add to the mix.The script, by Nolfi, allows the characters chance encounters to have a lasting effect and memorable feeling after. It's sincere and genuine, allowing it to feel that even though they have the unstoppable forces of the world on there shoulders, these two will find away to stop these unsuspecting figures, to be together.
It's another credit to Nolfi for allowing the story to feel unpredictable even though we know it is on a predetermined path. By the end we know that Elsie and David will be together but it's the question of how. Which door will they go through next?, how will he escape the bureau?. It's all questions after questions and mysteries within mysteries but that soon stops and Nolfi turns this mystery thriller about can you outrun your fate and turns into what you will do for love. On their first meeting you know these two are meant to be together and due to Damon and blunt their scenes are endlessly engaging, played out to excess but because of their chemistry, this possibly last encounter is memorable to David and the audience.
This is Phillip K dick in the end and the themes don't match the overall goal. It's never as smart as it thinks it is, can we out run are future or not isn't give the intellectual backbone it needs and sadly it runs into the troubles of Inception. It begins to follow it's on set of rules and turn the Bureau from menacing antagonists but to men in long coats dishing out compliments and some sort of half cooked answer to a much bigger question "why can't we be together?" asks David "It's part of the plan" says one of the Bureau. Instead of leaving it up for us to decide what will happen, creating a puzzle which we don't need explained, the film quickly allows us to follow only one path, canceling out all other scenarios.
Of course this is a film made for Hollywood and it fells like by the numbers film making, as if it were made by studio execs instead of it being a directors pet project. This could have turned out to be a different film and probably for better or worse. One side it could have been a simple yet effective love story or a heavy effects driven mess. You way up what you've got and you'll leave satisfied. An intriguing dabble into science fiction, always safe but always interesting.Like the well meaning Splice, it's a bit of compelling Sc-fi lunacy.
Damon are Blunt are the catalyst which starts of the mayhem in the first place. Damon is determined and fearless but possibly superficial in his goals but his emotions are genuine if not from the book of melodramatic cliches. Blunt is driven, ambitious and longing to feel in the right place. She's also the heart of the story and credit is due to the leads, who single handily turn this somewhat average thriller into a far more compelling and gripping film. Probably because we want them to be together.Instead of Inception for the romantic crowd it becomes the Manhattan for Sc-Fi crowd. But then you think "it's not Slepper".
LOW DOWN
Finally the first original film of 2011 and hopefully not the last. The Adjustment Bureau maybe isn't Minority report but as an idea, you can't help but admire the film for taking certain risks and chances on it's audience and Blunt and Damon add a classic charm to their tale and eventually the films tale of on the run for love.
***/**** (3/4)
Good review. Thanks.
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