DVD reviews
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The Adjustment Bureau (DVD)
Year: 2010
Rating: M
Director: George Nolfi
Cast: Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Anthony Mackie, Terence Stamp
Release Date: July 06, 2011
Distributor: Universal
The Film: 3.5
The Disc: 2.5
FILMINK rates DVDs and Blu-rays out of 5"...if you can suspend disbelief, this is solidly entertaining fare."
Allegedly a romantic sci-fi thriller, The Adjustment Bureau is, instead, a most unusual love story. Its whimsical premise is more suited to a rom-com than a serious tale, yet, if you can suspend disbelief, this is solidly entertaining fare.
David Norris (Matt Damon) is a politician who has defied personal adversity. On the night of a crushing election defeat he meets the pretty and witty Elise (Emily Blunt) in, of all places, the men's room. It's love at first sight (of course) but fate - in the form of a team of mysterious, men-in-black styled members of the Adjustment Bureau - conspires to keep them apart.
Writer/director George Nolfi (who co-penned of The Bourne Ultimatum and Ocean's Twelve) takes full advantage of his New York locations and keeps the pace brisk. His cast is excellent. Damon remains one of Hollywood's most reliable leading men, while Blunt is thoroughly charming - you care about this couple, and that keeps you hooked despite moments of borderline silliness (like the notion that the bureau need to wear trilby hats to maintain their powers).
While the premise is forced, there are intriguing ideas about destiny explored. That the bureau are working for the forces of good, but relentlessly pursue Norris - who won't let them keep him from the object of his desire - is, in itself, an interesting twist.
Apart from a decent commentary from Nolfi, the DVD extras don't offer much. Deleted scenes are lacklustre and the too-short featurettes come off like promotional material, although the section regarding the location shoots is of interest.
Based on the short story The Adjustment Team by sci-fi maestro Philip K. Dick (who gave Hollywood Blade Runner and Total Recall), the film misses the cinematic potential of the written work. The movie looks great but doesn't have the pack-a-punch visuals evoked in Dick's prose, where buildings crumble into dust as the bureau tweaks reality. Nolfi has brought a dimension of whimsy but despite questionable choices, still manages to deliver an enjoyable and, to a degree, thought-provoking film.
