Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, The Adjustment Bureau is an entertaining sci-fi romantic thriller. It examines the lengths that someone will go to in order to determine the course of their life when fate seemingly dictates otherwise.
Matt Damon plays a New York congressman in the process of contesting an election to become a senator. His plans are thrown off course when he meets a beautiful dancer, played by Emily Blunt. However, while he is keen to embrace his new-found happiness, there are others who are not so elated at this state of affairs. The eponymous Bureau is omnipresent and will stop at nothing to ensure that everything stays tickety-boo.
All the little things that annoy you - the spilled drink, the missed phone call, the lost key - may seem to be minor inconveniences but they are all part of a wider picture, keeping you 'on track'. In fact, anything in life that makes your blood pressure soar is actually there to get you to stop, chill out and go through your daily routine in a spirit of blithe contentment. It's all part of the plan so just accept that there's nothing you can do to change it. Or is there?
In a case of reality imitating art, writer-director George Nolfi's screenplay is a text-book example. The running time of 1 hour and 45 minutes contains a taut three acts that keep the narrative moving at a brisk pace, ensuring everything happens when it should. The film never outstays its welcome and by the end, definitely gives you something to think about. Matt Damon has quietly become a dependable leading man, ably assisted here not just by Emily Blunt but also Mad Men's John Slattery and the ever-watchable Terence Stamp providing the conflict.
For those who need to know, the Blu-ray contains alternate Latin American Spanish and Canadian French soundtracks and subtitles. The bonus features are brief but do include deleted scenes and a commentary by George Nolfi.