The Adjustment Bureau (2011)

• 
  
  May 22, 2012

  katykern8261

  Directed (and written) by George Nolfi, Universal Pictures, 2011.
  
  Starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Michael Kelly, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, and Terrance Stamp.
  
  Genre: Romance, Sci-Fi, Thriller
  
  Question: Did you ever get that feeling when you meet someone that the t... read morewo of you were meant to be together? You can't explain it but once you meet them it all makes sense. It is chance or is it destiny? Who knows?
  
  I received The Adjustment Bureau in the mail from Netflix about a month ago and forgot I had it until recently. Finally watched it yesterday and I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I wasn't expecting to - can't really say why. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are usually in pretty decent films, but something about the previews just sort of turned me off. Nonetheless, me being me (of course) I put it on my queue when it was out in the theatres, forgot about the preview and then had some time to kill yesterday.
  
  Look at the genre list above (from IMDb) and really think about it. What a combination of styles to mix together. I sort of wasn't expecting the romance to be such a large part of it. In fact, I would consider this a romance above all; and a really good one. Perhaps it's the romantic in me that nudged me to really enjoy the story. Tales about two people who are supposed to be together, for whatever reason and obstacles keep popping up and pulling them apart; however, they keep finding themselves reconnecting...those stories just get me.
  
  Matt Damon plays a young congressman from New York who "happens" to meet a woman (Emily Blunt) in a bathroom; they chat for a few moments and sparks fly immediately. Now I won't say what happens next with the romance part but the Sci-Fi part comes in and takes over the story after that.
  
  Here is where you can start a debate on if there is such a thing as destiny or if it is all up to chance. The "couple", let's call them, meet again and apparently they weren't supposed to according to a certain group of individuals. Why are these people so interested in this couple? I am not going to tell you that. However, this group apparently helps "guide" others towards paths that they should be on and when they veer off they come in to put them back on track. However, chance has a way of getting these two together or was it destiny?
  
  Who are these people that want to control people's paths? Well, the film-makers tried to explain who they are. You'll see.
  
  Of course as the The Adjustment Bureau continues the lovers find themselves in and out of each other lives. When they were together (Matt Damon and Emily Blunt) I found myself smiling watching them. Their relationship was effortless and I feel most people would kill for that these days. So I was big rooter for them to get together and stay together. What obstacles did they have; were they able to overcome them, and did they finally make it? Well, you know my answer to those questions....
  
  One thing I will tell you about this film, I really enjoyed watching Matt Damon's character and his persistence to be with the one he loved. It was truly heartwarming. Yeah, yeah, I am a girl and all it takes is for us to see a guy drop everything for a girl. We fall for that storyline every...single...time. And I fell for it again in The Adjustment Bureau. Why did he fight so hard for her? Well, there is the obvious. He loves her - geesh, come on people. But there was more and I will give you a little hint...he knew about something that she did not. I have a feeling if she did she would have acted the same way...okay, may have just revealed a little too much but I felt like sharing today.
  
  Also, I think both male and females movie fans will like this one. The Adjustment Bureau covers both a guy flick and chick flick quite well.
  
  Interesting trivia - this movie was based on the short story by Philip K. Dick. He passed away in 1982 but here are a few his other stories that eventually became films: Minority Report, Total Recall and Blade Runner.
  
  My favorite thing: Well, I will say it again - Matt Damon's character conviction to be with her.
  
  My least favorite: It was a bit predictable, but then again I see A LOT of movies so I will let that one slide.
  
  Rating: PG-13
  Length: 106 minutes
  
  Review: 6 out of 10

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• 
  
  May 6, 2012

  fb701560354

  Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have spectacular chemistry in The Adjustment Bureau and it's so great to watch them play off each other. The story and concept of The Adjustment Bureau is really very interesting and thought-provoking. George Nolfi (first-time writer/director) does a ... read morerelatively good job keeping the same tone throughout but sometimes it's abrupt changes are distracting. The main reason to see this film is for the thought-provoking concept and the wonderful chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.

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• 
  
  May 4, 2012

  FiLmCrAzY

  I have now seen this movie twice as i didnt fully understand the first time!
  But i like the originality of this movie, its interesting and intriging to keep entertained!
  I liked the story, the fact that as a human race we arent ready to be left to our own devices just yet so we ... read moreneed some help!
  I like the story and the meaning. The chemistry between Damon and Blunt is fantastic its funny and enjoyable! definately worth a watch!

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• 
  
  April 23, 2012

  spielberg00

  If a premise was all there was to a film, I would have scored this one with a perfect grade. But a premise is only the muscles to the cinematic body: they hold up and support the film as much as possible. If theyâ(TM)re strong, great, but there has to be some skin, blood, and bon... read morees to this cinematic body, and really, the muscles canâ(TM)t support anything other than themselves and the body. We could have, for example, a chick flick with the most hackneyed plot ever, but if thereâ(TM)s great acting and visuals, the film itself is somewhat good. Itâ(TM)s the same thingâ"or, rather, the oppositeâ"with THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU. The plot line is what makes it engaging, and thatâ(TM)s about it. Other than this, Iâ(TM)ve seen Damon in CONTAGION, HEREAFTER, TRUE GRIT, INVICTUS, the BOURNE and OCEANâ(TM)S trilogies, and THE DEPARTED; if I still need to watch further than those eleven films of his to understand that heâ(TM)s a great actor, then Iâ(TM)ll gladly watch something of the GOOD WILL HUNTING or TALENTED MR. RIPLEY variety. Because I love the man. Of the actors that are still alive today, he ranks among Nicholson, Harris, and DiCaprio as one of my favorites. I just didnâ(TM)t care for him here. It seems like forever since he ran from country to country as assassin Jason Bourne, and the word âforeverâ? gets a new, more emphasized definition here with his portrayal as a politician. His character here seems too unambitious, unadventurous, and too much so to be the lead in an action movie. The script was also heavily flawed. It was written by George Nolfi, who has co-written two other Damon filmsâ"THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM and OCEANâ(TM)S TWELVEâ"as well as two othersâ"THE SENTINEL and TIMELINE. Seeing that he has had some good experience with action films, one would expect a straightforward instance of the genre. Instead, we have a movie scripted with neat action, but killed at times by the poor, unrealistic dialogue. I give this points for being quite entertaining, if not the slightest bit more. Hey, letâ(TM)s look at the glass half full: it could have been another OCEANâ(TM)S TWELVE.
  
  READ THE UNADJUSTED REVIEW:
  http://themoviefreakblog.WordPress.com/review-the-adjustment-bureau

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• 
  
  March 31, 2012

  aquateen2

  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]
  
  The Adjustment Bureau is a good film. But it could have been an excellent one, only if it was much edgier and much much more daring. At times it is a bit too intellectually defensive and others a bit sil... read morely so it fails quite frequently to maintain a good consistent tone. However, it's certainly not a failure of an execution thanks to Damon and Blunt's superb chemistry, above average direction and the thoughtful religious and moral subtext.

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  March 10, 2012

  fb1463751009

  "The Adjustment Bureau" has been advertised largely to be a sci-fi, thrilling movie but at the core, it is a romance -- an exceptionally entertaining one. Because this movie is a romance, chemistry and great performances is a must but there's no need to worry -- Matt Damon and Em... read moreily Blunt are absolutely captivating on-screen. The little phrases that the two throw around at each other really carry an excitement and interest for the other party. The acting is marvelous; the chemistry was almost palpable. I was surprised by how well written the screenplay was. A romantic movie requires 2 qualities that make it excel: Sharp writing and great acting and "The Adjustment Bureau"'s got it. The romance is the main meat of the story but the sci-fi elements are there just enough to intellectually stimulate the audience members -- a perfect balance of emotion and thought. An incredible movie. Only problem I had with it was that the sci-fi premise that it had as a backdrop, became a bit overwhelming at times. Other then that, it was a great movie.

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• 
  
  February 25, 2012

  imrealgod

  Science fictions aren't exactly my cup of tea. I kept postponing watching this with the fear of whether or not I'd be able to get it. By MY grace, only a wee-bit went over the top while I've managed to grasp more than I was expecting (well, at least to the best of my unlimited kn... read moreowledge). As for the movie, it's okay. My rating reveals my innermost feelings about the movie and renders me speechless!! I'd like to mention here that it's amazing that even today when you create this sort of characters (Matrix, MIB,.....), you still figure 'em in hats and suits. Guess some things suit as they are and need not change. And yeah, nice casting only helps make the movie perfectly watchable.

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• 
  
  February 21, 2012

  fb1378820053

  "Bourne meets inception" Not quite! I do always love Matt Damon's films but this is just a poor attempt of a Sci-Fi romance. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt work well in the lead roles, and the travelling through the doors is well done. But overall a Boring attempt of rarely done Sci... read more-Fi romantic film

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• 
  
  February 8, 2012

  SirPant

  I read Philip K. Dick's short The Adjustment Team years ago and I think it's in need of a re-read asap just to remind myself of what I believe was the final message as this film has muddled and mixed so many messages together, I lost track. At times the message seemed to contradi... read morect itself, or at least skip over what I believe was the overall message. Director George Nolfi has stated that it is a 'Loosely based' adaptation of the story and that the "intention of this film is to raise questions". No, I think the original story did but the film does not - or at least not the intended questions. OK, so I liked the casting. I think it's nice to see a good actress like Emily Blunt in a role like this rather than some blow-up doll with blond hair and big breasts. I liked the way it looked also, although Dark City did this sub-genre brilliantly and in my opinion it is yet to be bettered. I also liked the ending, or should I say, the lack of fireworks. I thought it was keeping with the theme and it could have been very easy (but wrong) to inject a bit of unnecessary action - the door thing was quite enough. My biggest gripe, and it is quite big, is that as a fan of Mr. Dick's stories, I feel that yet again, he has been let down by another badly judged adaptation. The film should have been about defiance, free will and the illusion of fate. This film basically says that free will is fine because God says so, which is a complete contradiction. Who knows though, Dick hated Blade Runner, so who knows, he might have loved it - but I doubt it very much. Now stop reading my silly little review and read one of his excellent books instead.

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• 
  
  January 9, 2012

  sergioogarcia

  Definatelly not the best movie of Matt Damon. But it's good enough to keep you entretained over the weekend. Why are we so obessed with destiny? I agree, you make your own, no matter what.

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• Matt Damon as David Norris
• Emily Blunt as Elise Sellas
• Anthony Mackie as Harry Mitchell
• John Slattery as Richardson
• Shohreh Aghdashloo
• Michael Kelly as Charlie Traynor
• Terence Stamp as Thompson
• Lisa Thoreson as Suburban Mom
• Florence Kastriner as Suburban Mom

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

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• • Harry Mitchell: Most people live life on the path we set for them. Too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like you come along and knock down all the obstacles we put in your way. People who realize free will is a gift, you'll never know how to use until you fight for it.
• • David Norris: Look, whatever happens, I'm not gonna let anything come between us again.
• • Harry Mitchell: You're entire world has turned upside down and you're thinkin' about a woman.
• • Thompson: You don't have free will, David. You have the appearance of free will.
• • David Norris: [laughing] It's a new phone.
• • David Norris: I was defenseless, against the small dress.

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  The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
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• 'The Adjustment Bureau' Trailer HD
• The Adjustment Bureau: Elise Kills David's Phone
• The Adjustment Bureau (Big Game Spot)
• The Adjustment Bureau: Richardson Confronts David On The Street
• The Adjustment Bureau: Elise Challenges David To A Race Down The Street
• The Adjustment Bureau: Fate Featurette
• The Adjustment Bureau - Trailer
• The Adjustment Bureau: Harry And David Talk At A Bar
• The Adjustment Bureau: Richardson Tells David He Can Read His Mind

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