Picture your life as perfect as anyone could have ever imagined. You have a great high-ranking job you have subordinates that think the world of you everything is going perfectly your life could never have been better if someone had planned it yourself. What if someone had planned everything in your life right down to the T; What if what you are meant to do is part of some higher plan to shape the course of coming events to avoid a disaster or to change the flow of history? What would you do if you knew that a group of mysterious men who monitor the whole world are trying to keep order and peace has nudged everything you have ever worked for in your entire life in the right direction? Would you try to change your destiny? Or can your destiny really be altered at all? Can your fate be predetermined to have an outcome that benefits the whole world or would you fight back to change their plan to create your own destiny, to create your own fate to create your destiny not controlled by a higher authority. Would you fight for that? Would you fight for your freedom, fight for you’re the people you love, would you fight for your right of freewill for your right of choice? Would you fight for your fate?
Director/writer George Nolfi's thought provoking examination of predestination and fate is a film that tries and slightly succeeds on its attempt to show audiences a world where your choices are not yours. And the path you walk in life is predetermined for you from the very beginning by a higher power that has a certain plan for your life that you have no idea is being put into motion to either avert a massive disaster or to change the natural flow of events. Nolfi(Writer of "Ocean's 12,"The Sentinel" and co-writer of "The Bourne Ultimatum") blends themes of political intrigue and mind-bending Science Fiction -via the world of master Sci-Fi writer Phillip K. Dick - has the ambition that rivals that of some of the best of Science Fiction's paranoiac tales. But it lacks the focus needed to really elevate it from good to legendary instead it kind of meanders it way through its plot all the while trying to find a smooth pace and a consistent tone. In the end it is able to smooth out its pace but the tone of this film seems to be all over the place, like director Nolfi was trying to hard to give it the feel of a dark paranoiac with very romantic overtones and then tries to insert the feel of a Sci-Fi chase thriller coupled with political intrigue. This film juggles all these genre themes without ever settling on one causing this film to have a lukewarm presentation. You feel involved and then you don't then you do and then you don't, the tonal shifts are this film's one major weakness and almost cripple any enjoyment you may try to take away from this beautifully made intelligently written film. Thanks in part to strong performances from its leads, intelligent dialogue, and a thought-provoking premise that brings up intriguing questions about destiny and fate this film is able to keep its head above the water instead of sinking like a stone. Director George Nolfi may not have the whole directing gig down to a T with "The Adjustment Bureau" he shows more promise than I ever imagined. This film has all the bells and whistles and even though some of those bells may be broken or don't sound as sweet as they should this film still is able to be music to an intelligent moviegoers ears.
"The Adjustment Bureau" is what I would like to call a morally complex film. This film does not dwell on action and it does not implement an abundance of special effects to try and mask the holes in its story or to enhance an otherwise dull film in terms of F/X this film is rather simplistic in its storytelling is where is true strength lies. Director/writer George Nolfi shows immense talent with his ambitious first film he shows a flare for the dramatics, an eye for romance an ear and intelligence for finely written dialogue Nolfi displays some very impressive skills in this sometimes murky film. He shows he has the skills to be a strong competent director but he lacks true focus and a sure hand. Nolfi has trouble deciding what he truly wants for this film or where he wants to take it he is not daring enough to put himself out on a limb therefore the film stays in its comfort zone, making this a very enjoyable film. However, seeing the material that inspired it and talent involved it could have been so much more than what it is. "The Adjustment Bureau" is a smart, taunt, romantic, morally emotionally complex film that deals with heavy themes such as fate, destiny, and choice lacing them with heavy romantic and political overtones this film has all the trappings and the pedigree to boot. The only thing that holds it back from greatness is the sheepishness of its director who tries to make a statement but refuses to take the initiative to put him out on a limb. This film is not daring enough for Science Fiction nor is it daring enough for its intriguing story and premise from the legendary Phillip K. Dick, Nolfi displays the talent but to be a great director you mustn't be afraid to put yourself out there and challenge yourself. Nolfi challenges the audience now all he needs to do is challenge himself.
Matt Damon is one of the greatest actor's working in the business today. He has proven repeatedly that no matter what the role he is game. In George Nolfi's "The Adjustment Bureau" Damon turns in a stirring performance as Congressman David Norris an honest, honorable senatorial candidate living out his childhood dream, the question is however is it really his dream or some higher up's plan? Damon plays Norris as a man of principles a man who knows what he wants and seeks to obtain it but some blemishes in his past have recently given him the appearance of having a reckless personality. However, throughout this film you see David as more of a man who fights for what he believes and will stop at nothing to gain the love of the beautiful and extremely feisty Elise (played by the lovely Emily Blunt) the woman who has changed his perception on his dream. Damon is flawless even if the film is not as flawless as he is, he never falters and delivers a stunning performance as a man challenged to fight back against a system that seems to have everything and everyone working for them. Damon is strong, forceful, and honest and determined his character David Norris is a character who many can identify with and understand why he is fighting so hard for his fate for his future for the love of his life no matter what the personal or professional cost. I will not lie when I say that I have a massive crush on Emily Blunt (I mean come on who wouldn't?) she is sassy, funny, witty, and charming. Those are just the characteristics she is displays in some of her best roles, like in "The Young Victoria" and “The Devil wears Prada". Blunt has displayed an almost natural charm and appeal that very few actresses have these days. In some ways I would have to compare her to Katherine Hepburn or the late Elizabeth Taylor, she has that kind of appeal to her. That draw that from the first moment you see her you know that she is the kind of woman that you want to sit down, have a nice cup of coffee with, and just shoot the breeze. That Blunt persona is the kind of infallible charm she brings to the screen and to this very crucial role in this sometimes-murky Science Fiction cautionary tale. The rest of the cast including Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Anthony Ruivivar, Michael Kelly, and Terrence Stamp all turn in fine supporting performances in this excellent if not at sometimes-distant film.
I have seen very few films in this young year, but out of all that I have seen in the last two months George Nolfi's "The Adjustment Bureau" stands out as one of the most original and engaging films, I have seen in a long while. This may not be a perfect film grant it it does have its flaws but as an avid Sci-Fi fan and a film aficionado this film proves to be one of the better Science Fiction films I have seen lately, as I said it may not be perfect .. Then again, this film may not need to be as it deals with themes of fate, choice, and predestination. "The Adjustment Bureau is as smart and engaging as films come but its curious distance from what it truly needs to say is almost(at times) perplexing but it is never disengaging. This is as good as movie making comes and rarely does filmmaking get this skillful and intelligently done in these days. So why is it that "The Adjustment Bureau" isn't a stronger more daring film, Is it because it's director George Nolfi is not daring enough to put himself out there like Martin Scorsese or Steven Spielberg or Robert DeNiro(Director of "A Bronx Tale and "The Good Shepherd"), or Christopher Nolan. If he was a little more outgoing in his ideas then maybe, just maybe, this would have been a stronger film, maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part I don't know. For what this film is it astoundingly well made and well photographed with strong performances from its talented cast and intelligently written "The Adjustment Bureau" is a better film than you think and quite frankly more satisfying than you could hope for its perfect spring entertainment for people who are tired so seeing bad Rom-Com or lazy Sci-Fi films. If you want to see a movie that works this is the film to see not just for its story but for its underlining theme of what it means to be in control of your own fate and how sometimes our choice-albeit not always right- can effect our path in life no matter what we do.
