Review: The Adjustment Bureau

Review: The Adjustment Bureau

Rating: **1/2

Nonna's Rating: $$

Rotten Tomatoes: 72%

Audience: 68%

Because Matt Damon and Emily Blount always manage to make any film they're in a bit more interesting, this movie is definitely worth watching. On top of that, it's based on a Phillip K. Dick story -- which, more often than not, forms the basis for a clever, innovative movie (Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, Screamers). Adjustment Bureau is no Blade Runner, but it manages to deal with theological issues in an action-packed way. In the film, we are confronted with a puppet master of Fate, possibly God, who predetermines and meticulously plans the destinies of human beings.

The story focuses on David Norris (Damon), a politician running for U.S. Senate who meets Elise Sellas (Blount), seemingly by chance, and wants desperately for most of the movie to get to know her better. The problem is that the master plan doesn't include their having a relationship. Norris thwarts the plan and becomes aware of the behind-the-scenes Adjustment Bureau, a group of suited, fedora-wearing "caseworkers" who ensure the plan is executed. With John Slattery as Richardson, the caseworker-"angel"-in-charge, the Fate-corps seem to be a cross between the Matrix people and the Mad Men people. So, rent this one for a quiet evening at home -- or pull out your DVD of Blade Runner. It never gets old.

Nonna's Ratings:

$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price

$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it