The Adjustment Bureau: A Twist on Fate and Free Will
In a pivotal moment of his burgeoning political career, charming young Congressman David Norris (Damon) encounters the woman of his dreams, Elise (Blunt), in a men’s restroom. Inspired by her words, he delivers a remarkable speech to his constituents, and from that moment on, he can’t shake the thought of seeing her again.
As David prepares for work, an older gentleman in a nearby park subtly reminds a young employee that David Norris must spill his coffee, or something terrible will happen. However, the young man dozes off, and the congressman leaves for work with his coffee intact.
From Short Story to Silver Screen
“The Adjustment Bureau” is based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, whose creative legacy has been a source of inspiration for cutting-edge science fiction for decades. In reality, the film retains little from the story except for the concept of “reality adjusters,” originally referred to as something akin to the “Correction Bureau.”
Other notable Dick adaptations include “Blade Runner” (1982), “Total Recall” (1990), and “Minority Report” (2002).
A Director’s Debut with a Familiar Touch
The film marks the directorial debut of “The Bourne Ultimatum” screenwriter George Nolfi, who, despite only one shared film credit, evokes the style of Doug Liman. Liman is known for producing solid genre films characterized by shaky camera work, quick cuts, and a meticulous perfectionism. This same perfectionism – a sleek, glossy flawlessness – is also present in “The Adjustment Bureau.”
It’s a dynamic, captivating thriller with excellent performances (Matt Damon and Emily Blunt share incredible on-screen chemistry), and its main peculiarity isn’t immediately apparent. It only dawns on you hours after watching the film: there isn’t a single truly negative character. The joy of seeing positivity enter the realm of the science fiction thriller is only slightly marred by sympathy for Philip K. Dick, who is likely spinning in his grave.