Plot: Congressman David Norris (Matt Damon) is running for Senate, but he loses. Before he gives his concession speech he meets Elise (Emily Blunt) and they have an immediate cosmic connection -- then he gives a memorable and inspirational speech that canupults him into office the next time. Soon David sees his associates having their memories erased by mysterious men like from Men in Black. Next David mets Harry (Anthony Mackie) and the rest of the Adjustment Bureau, and they tell him to follow the preordained plan -- forget Elise, and stick to politics. David and Elise can't do that, and they fight to save their love against the considerable supernatural powers of the Adjustment Bureau.
Review: This is a clever story about lovers fighting against fate to stay together, and the hand of fate is wielded by guys in suits and hats. Matt Damon is wonderfully likeable, and the 1:1 scenes between Damon and Emily Blunt are emotional and interesting. There was not much dialog between them, and much was about Action Movie dialog about staying ahead of the bad guys. The bad guys are mysterious and powerful, especially as we learn more about the yet more mysterious Chairman.
There are dozens of cameos by newspeople and politicians, which was fun and added realism, but was also distracting. There were great images of New York City throughout -- enough that the producers should be getting paid by the NYC tourist bureau.
The sound track is strong -- I bought three songs when I got home.
The film takes on the big issue of predestination and freewill. Clearly the world of the movie has very limited freewill, and supernatural beings push the world back into plan when it strays. This is interesting in itself, but I am not sure that is being presented as a serious model of how the world really works -- just as the basis for a story. The movie really is about following your heart and doing the right thing.
Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt
Written (screen play) and directed by: George Nolfi; Based on the short story by the great Phillip K Dick.
Rating: 3.0 stars; strong performances, good story, enjoyable, but not super fun-to-watch. Good engagement of serious issues.
More: At the end Harry tells us to fight for the sake of free will, and that sounds like good advice -- but I am not sure what that means. I think he means follow your heart.
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