The Adjustment Bureau [DVD] [2011]

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.

A slow but very well acted, well made, intriguing and original romantic sci fi thriller, and how often do you see one of those? It's based on a short story by Phillip K. Dick, and while it's not in the same league as Blade Runner, it's at least as enjoyable as Total Recall and Minority Report. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are on excellent form as the lovers who weren't supposed to meet and Terrance Stamp is very sinister as part of the mysterious adjustment bureau who make sure that everything happens according to plan. You're never quite sure who the mysterious bureau are and that's part of this movie's appeal. They describe themselves as more than human and possess powers and can use any door to transport themselves anywhere they wish and claim to have been watching over the human race since time began and they report to a mysterious chairman who decides fate all according to a grand plan.
The slow pace may put off some, but stick with it and you'll be rewarded with a very enjoyable film.

if you liked the matrix you will most probably like this, the low ratings are a bit surprising. this is not a "great" movie like the matrix but i thought it was a good, enjoyable story. acting was good, some good twists and about the right length.

overall definitely a recommended, good watch.