ANALYSIS:
David Norris has a bright future ahead of him in politics. He meets the girl of
his dreams by chance. He loses the race and he soon finds out he is part of a plan by a place called the Adjustment Bureau who manipulate the
lives of many according to the plan the Chairman (from above) sets for humankind. The Adjustment Bureau goes
to great steps to prevent David and the new love of his life, Elise being together. they weren't supposed to meet
a second time, but they do because a moment isn't adjusted in David's life. He walks in on the Adjustment
Bureau doing their adjustment on one of his co-workers and the bureau levels with David on what they do. David is determined
to find Elise again (he takes the same bus for three years- I call that love).
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU is adapted from a short story by sci-fi legend Philip K Dick (whose
works have been adapted into several other movies including BLADE RUNNER and TOTAL RECALL) called THE ADJUSTMENT TEAM.
It is a metaphysical sci-fi film. It questions whether we have choice and free will. It also
asks how much does chance play in our lives and what would happen if we discover chance was being manipulated.
How far would we risk to be with someone we love?
I believe in finding the one I love and so THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU's
story and the motivation of David Norris. The bureau sends in one of their heavy hitters, Thompson (Terrence
Stamp), to tear David and Elise apart. However, one of the bureau has reservations about the Plan for David and he levels
with David about it. The movie sets up it's rules like the bureau can't predict things when you're on water or in the
rain. Uptown New York City is complex to navigate because they have so many short cut doors to choose. They
need to wear special hats to go through doors.
Matt Damon and Emily Blunt have great chemistry. You want their characters to be
together. Also the direction is great along with most of the script, but I wish they held off the reveal
of the bureau until David stumbles upon them (which they could have done by editing out a few scenes in the first half hour).
Other than that, I loved THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU. Go see it for a smartly crafted sci-fi
film.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
The feature audio commentary with Writer/ Director George Nolfi is a tedious drag.
He may have some insights, but I learned more from the fetaurettes and maybe Nolfi needs a producer and/ or actor to interact
with for a better commentary.
Six deleted and extended scenes have some interesting material, but they were cut for time even
though extra dialogue with Thompson is nice to hear and cut scenes with henderson come off as comedic in a way while the extended
dance scene is an alternate edit of a scene in a movie.
LEAPING THROUGH NEW YORK- using New York City's location and special effects to link the trips
through the doorways for the climatic scenes in the film.
DESTINED TO BE- a promotional featurette with cast and crew interviews
BECOME ELISE- the most interesting of the three featurettes as it shows behind-the-scenes of
how Emily Blunt trained and toned herself for the role of Elise with only two months to do it
FINAL ANALYSIS: THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU is underwatched gem which hold up as a love story
that asks questions about fate, chance, and destiny in teh bigger scope of things. Two of three featurettes give
insight into the film while you can skip the audio commentary and watch the seven minutes of deleted scenes if you still have
time.
this DVD review is (c)6-23-2011 (with mvoie review from 3-13-2011) David Blackwell and cannot
be reprinted without permission. send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com
