By Claudia Puig, USA TODAY
Free will, destiny, undying love and a mystical/sci-fi premise are interwoven in a stylish tapestry ? albeit with some gaping holes ? in The Adjustment Bureau.
By Andrew Schwartz, Universal Studios
Think Mr. Smith Goes to Washington meets Inception, with a love story thrown in: Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in The Adjustment Bureau.
By Andrew Schwartz, Universal Studios
Think Mr. Smith Goes to Washington meets Inception, with a love story thrown in: Matt Damon and Emily Blunt in The Adjustment Bureau.
Matt Damon plays an idealistic guy running for the U.S. Senate. Though his party is never revealed, he's clearly one of its bright lights, having been elected at 24 to the House of Representatives.
But his first Senate bid has ended in defeat. A chance meeting in the hotel bathroom with a dancer named Elise (Emily Blunt), however, changes his life. They banter a bit and share an unexpected kiss, but their connection is electric.
Inspired by her lack of artifice, he makes a concession speech that cuts through the usual political rhetoric. The masses eat it up ? convinced of his integrity.
With his natural charisma, Damon is convincing as a politician. And he has chemistry with the equally believable Blunt. The two actors' likability and intelligence propel the film, based on a Philip K. Dick story.
Mysterious men in overcoats and hats appear ominously and early. Mad Men's John Slattery looks the role as a midlevel operative. But it's Anthony Mackie's more sensitive official that makes the strongest impression.
* * 1/2 out of four
Stars: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery
Director: George Nolfi
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexuality and a violent image
Running time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
Opens Friday nationwide
These shadowy figures are from the eponymous Adjustment Bureau. It's not about insurance claims. Their job description is to make sure life goes according to plan ? or they'll make adjustments. Some of those consist of "resetting" brains to ensure the human race is on track with the course set for it.
They're not exactly mind-readers or angels: "We're more like caseworkers," says Mackie. And a disproportionate number seem to be on Damon's case. It turns out that he's destined for great things as a politician. The implication is that he will one day be president ? if he doesn't screw up and become romantically involved with Blunt.
"If I'm not supposed to be with her," asks Damon, "then why do I feel like this?"
Good question. Best not to say much more, except that her dancing career will also be affected. She is destined to be one of the world's greatest dancers, but only if she avoids a pas de deux with Damon. If they get together, he's told, she'll be relegated to teaching 6-year-olds. As if this is a fate worse than death.
Anyway, the point is: True love is a powerful force. That's a perfectly fine premise. It's a shame the dialogue is laden with clich�s, and loopholes to the adjustment concept abound.
Turns out the bureau is not as omniscient as they purport ? hats, doorways and rain can at least temporarily throw these stealthy operatives off the case. And then there's the element of chance, which still inexplicably figures into this deterministic vision.
The Adjustment Bureau is compelling enough, a sort of Inception-lite, but the plot holes take it off course.
Still, this mind-meld of sci-fi thriller, morality play and passionate romance is worth seeing, mostly for the palpable chemistry between the lead actors.
Shania Twain Kelly Rowland Daniella Alonso Desiree Dymond Ananda Lewis
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