My interest in romance movies is below average because I often find the plots of many of them clichéd and predictable. So when a friend recommended The Adjustment Bureau (2011), I was a little reluctant to watch it. But once I discovered that Matt Damon and Emily Blunt were the lead actors in this movie, I needed no further convincing. The film turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Written, directed and co-produced by George Nolfi, The Adjustment Bureau is an American sci-fi romantic thriller that stars an ensemble cast including Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Anthony Mackie, Michael Kelly, and other supporting actors. This fascinating movie that makes viewers reflect on the concept of destiny and how it really works, for example, what if the person you are meant to love is also the person you are not supposed to be with? What if every decision you make, every unexpected encounter and opportunity that comes your way has already been planned by someone you cannot see? Would you accept your fate or fight against a system that seems to know your future better than you do?
This romantic sci-fi follows David Norris (Matt Damon), an ambitious politician whose promising career takes a hit when he loses a US senate election. While preparing to deliver his concession speech, he meets Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) who leaves a strong impression on him. Their connection feels natural and there is an immediate attraction between them.
Just when he thinks he has found someone worth pursuing, he discovers that their encounter was never supposed to happen. Strange men in suits who can control people's movements and alter their circumstances are working behind the scenes to keep David on the path intended for him. He soon learns that these men belong to “the Adjustment Bureau”, an organisation that ensures people's lives follow a predetermined plan.
Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie), one of the agents responsible for keeping David on track, gives him a glimpse of how the system works. But David cannot simply forget Elise and move on with his life.
Years later, fate brings them together again and his feelings for her remain just as strong. The problem is that Elise has dreams of her own and their relationship threatens the future that has supposedly been mapped out for them. As David begins to understand the extent of the Bureau's power and control, he faces a difficult choice between accepting the life planned for him and risking everything to be with the woman he loves.
My Review And Rating
Apart from my love for the lead actors, the way this movie combines romance with an intriguing sci-fi concept without complicating the story is what makes it worth watching in my opinion. The plot is solid and the storytelling is well done. The idea that unseen forces could be quietly directing our lives is fascinating especially when you consider how often we blame missed opportunities on bad timing or coincidence.
Matt Damon does a good job portraying David's frustration and determination to take control of his life while Emily Blunt brings warmth, charm and a refreshing independence to Elise. Their chemistry is convincing enough that I could understand why David was willing to risk so much for her. Anthony Mackie also makes Harry an interesting character because he is not simply presented as a cold, unfeeling agent carrying out orders.
One part of the movie I wasn't satisfied with is the unclear workings of the Bureau. How they operate and why their rules are rigid is not clearly explained in the film. Also, the chase sequences became a little tiring after the first two times particularly when David keeps trying to outsmart agents who supposedly have control over almost every circumstances. I guess even such an organisation have their loopholes.
Still, I liked that the romance and the science fiction elements were smoothly blended to create a fascinating movie that had me rooting for Harry and Elise to be a couple.
The film does not treat love as a simple, effortless solution to every problem. David has to confront the possibility that getting what he wants could mean sacrificing the future he has worked so hard to build. This conflict gives the romance more weight than a normal love story in which two attractive people overcome a few misunderstandings before getting their happy ending.
Overall, The Adjustment Bureau is an enjoyable romantic sci-fi with an intriguing premise, suspense and good performances. I'd say this is one solid movie that gave me reason to pause and reflect considering it's focused on romance. I wondered if the Bureau claims to know what is best for humanity, does that give it the right to take away people's freedom to choose and love? Still, I'm happy we all have the power to choose for ourselves, sometimes.
Rating this movie, I'd give it 8 out of 10 stars. This is a solid film I'd recommend to fans of romance and sci-fi.
All images above are screenshots from the movie
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Rating: 80/100
