THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
MARCH 4, 2011
George Nolfi’s name is credited throughout this film, so he will have to take responsibility for the production, direction and the writing. He loosely built the story from a short story by Phillip K Dick called “Adjustment Team.” Nolfi hit big with his adaptation of “Honor Among Thieves” which became the sequel to “Ocean’s Eleven”: “Ocean’s Twelve”. Although it had a promising opening weekend, it did not fare well compared to its predecessor, but was financially successful following its worldwide theatrical run.
Nolfi followed up “Ocean’s Twelve” with screenplays for “Time-Line”, “The Sentinel” and co-wrote “The Bourne Ultimatum” with Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns and Tom Sheppard. All of his previous work led him up the steps into “The Adjustment Bureau” with responsibilities deep within every aspect of the film. He has already moved on to writing the film version of the television series, "Hawaii Five-O".
The plot begins with a charismatic politician running for a seat of the United States Senate. David Norris (Matt Damon) has the voters wrapped around his finger, moving into position for the kill. Brief clips are intermittently splashed across the screen which is slightly confusing but the viewer is able to piece together that a downfall of Norris is inevitable. As with most films, the opening twenty minutes are crammed with back-story with necessary and unnecessary information.
Matt Damon is fully invested in the character with believable depiction that often plagues a politician who wants to win for the people. When Elise (Emily Blunt) has a chance meeting with David in the bathroom as he practices his concession speech, there is instant attraction. The chemistry between these two actors pulls the viewer in quickly to the on screen seduction. Although only one side of this relationship is seen, there is no confusion that these two characters, as much as they are pulled apart, are meant to be together.
This becomes the driving force that pushes David into fighting for what he feels is meant to be when he realizes that there is more going on in the world than just fate and coincidence. This film was showered with subtle comedic humor that begins the moment David is being chased by unknown men out to keep him from getting out of his office building. He passes his secretary and tells her to call 911, but she is frozen in time and David only has seconds to realize she is not moving and he better not stop. Matt Damon does an excellent job pulling ofF what he only has seconds to get across to the audience.
Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie) is David Norris’ life case manager responsible for putting blips in the road. This job has begun to take its toll on Harry and this emotional draining will lead him to expose the truth. In doing so, Harry will teach David how to avoid the bureau and get the girl. His boss must combat, anticipate and intercept every movement David makes to keep him on point.
Richardson (John Slattery) is in charge of the bureau’s department that Harry works in. Richardson’s responsibilities begin but do not end with David Norris. He keeps the world on schedule with minor calibrations that will right the universe with balance. In the middle of altering the people in David Norris’S office, Richardson is caught by Norris while making adjustments to David’s co-workers. This is where the action begins and does not let the viewer go until the very end. Slattery breathes life into what could have been a very robotic character. He is often injected by the writing with some excellent lines that let everyone know even those empowered can have a bad day.
Mackie, Slattery, Damon and Blunt display an immense skill in maneuvering the characters through the labyrinth of the plot. Although Damon plays the lead, each character pushes the storyline forward with every scene. Nolfi, having written the screenplay, has a visual direction that, together with the acting, brings this romantic fantasy thriller film to the peak of perfection.
You will leave the theater wondering what fate is and what in our lives is controlled by unknown forces. This film gives a more realistic possibility to the matrix theory. Conversation at the water cooler will probably not happen but the mind will wonder momentarily if this can happen.
RUSTY
3/4/11