David Norris (Matt Damon) is a young, promising congressman who's ready to take on the job as a New York senator. After a near-successful campaign, he loses the election. While practicing his concession speech in a hotel bathroom, he runs into the charming Elise (Emily Blunt), a gifted dancer. After this friendly encounter, David has a chance meeting with her on his way to work. Once he arrives at the office, a group of mysterious men chase him down. After their team leader, Richardson (John Slattery), tells David how they operate, he reveals that at the risk of throwing the work of The Chairman out of order, he can never see Elise again, and they take her number away from David. Three years later, the two lovers meet again, much to the bureau's dismay. The team will then stop at nothing to keep them apart, and David will do anything to stay with the girl he loves.
Damon's character has a wide approval from his political followers, and that likeability extends to the audience. He isn't just an all-star politician, but also a man who's trying to fight for the girl of his dreams; just like what any average guy would do. Damon dives slickly back into his Bourne Identity persona in time for the climatic chase sequence through New York City. It's an apt pairing between him and director Nolfi, since the latter co-wrote the screenplay for The Bourne Ultimatum. Damon and Blunt share a chemistry that looks and feels both palpable and natural. Although this is their first outing together, it looks like the two have been doing movies together for quite some time. They could be the film industry's next big power couple, judging by how comfortably they interact with one another. The adjustment team boasts some decent supporting performances as well with John Slattery and Terence Stamp; but the one that stands out is Anthony Mackie, as the member of the bureau who is sympathetic towards Norris. Mackie is one of Hollywood's hidden talents, as he proved in 2009's The Hurt Locker, and should be one to watch for in the future.
The screenplay, written by the director, poses questions that ask if people have free will in their actions, or if the decisions they make are predetermined by a higher power. Similar to Steven Spielberg's Minority Report, another film based on a Philip K. Dick short story, it hands the characters the choice of either accepting their fate or trying to alter it. I think if the movie was a little longer, it could have expanded on the ideas it was proposing. The film had some very interesting material to do so. The Adjustment Bureau isn't showy, outlandish, special effects-loaded science fiction; but is rather low-key with its sci-fi, in a positive sense. That way, the story doesn't get lost, and we are able to learn about the characters. This film showed that even without mind-numbing explosions or expensive visuals, sci-fi can be smart, thrilling fun that makes you think.
Final grade: B+
