THE Adjustment Bureau surprised me in quite a wonderful way.I had only a vague idea what it was about when I went in and everything I saw impressed me.Based on the short story by Philip K. Dick, the movie is part romance and part thriller.David Norris (Matt Damon) is a rising star of American politics, the youngest person ever elected to Congress and on a path that could lead him to the White House. But a chance encounter in a bathroom with the beautiful Elise (Emily Blunt), David focuses all his efforts on trying to find her again.David's determination brings him to the"Adjustment Bureau", a group of hat-wearing stalkers who kidnap David and tell him he needs to stop trying to find Elise.They tell him everyone has a predetermined fate - it is their job to make the necessary interventions and adjustments to ensure people get there. david is so driven to get the girl of his dreams that he pays no heed to the bureau's warning. Also the chemistry and the bond the cast has is truly amazing.
The supporting casting is very good. Ironically, “Mad Men” series regular John Slattery plays one of the mysterious hat men having great fun with the role. “Hurt Locker’s” Anthony Mackie carves out an angst filled place for himself in the film as a troubled and affected member of the Adjustment Bureau who offers Norris some assistance. But the most delicious of the supporting team is Terence Stamp who plays the cold and calculating Thompson. As is common with a Stamp performance, when he is on screen it is tough to take your eyes off him. Here his menacing Thompson is intimidating without any display of violent tendencies. It is as if Stamp’s Thompson has an aura about him that screams “do what I say or else.” Going toe-to-toe with Thompson is not a good idea.
The work of the late Philip K. Dick has made great movies like “Blade Runner” and even “Minority Report” and not so great films like “Paycheck” and “Imposter.” The bad movies are just an attempt to use his ideas as a startinging off point which is to drop huge action set-pieces. The main reason that writer/director George Nolfi’s take on Dick’s short story works so well is that it avoids falling into redundant sci-fi films that go for action over intelligence. “The Adjustment Bureau” is literate and sophisticated going into the concept of true love as good as any movie of recent style. Reminding of “I am number four” or “The titanic” the, “Bureau” is a movie that descriptivly tells a story that unfolds clasically and understands the importance and power of finding that special someone in your life.
This movie truly superseeds the regular friday night entertainment because it will have you thinking at the end, because philip gave us such a diverse comcept to think about- free will vs fate. Overall i think thjis movie was good even tho compraed to inception it still was a good solid movie that Ienjoyed watching. the actors were great and showed good chemistry. I think that Nolfi did a good job in portraying Dick's dream and making it come to life on the big screen.
