When 2011 began, there was an expectation that new and better entertainment would come out. One of this year’s new releases, The Adjustment Bureau is a movie that can easily confuse, though it still has good features.
The movie starts slowly, but didn’t waste time introducing the main character. In the beginning, politician David Norris (Matt Damon) is panicking and rehearsing a speech in a bathroom, where he meets Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), who gives him advice. Following her advice, he wins the Senate nomination.
It’s a nice start and gives a bit of in-depth information about what Norris does, despite the odd way that the two met.
The movie then switches to a scene where a ‘co-worker’ is being told to get Norris to spill his coffee on himself; a sign that something odd is going on.
When he arrives at work, Norris finds his boss being studied by a bunch of men in suits that resembled the Men in Black. Like anyone would do, he runs and is chased until they catch him.
Taking him to a warehouse, Richardson (John Slattery) explains what the Adjustment Bureau is. The chase itself helps to build suspense and to understand what the earlier scene at the park with the ‘co-worker’ had been about. It’s at this point that all the pieces start to fall into place.
It is explained that “the chairman”, the head of the Adjustment Bureau, created a plan in regards to Norris and the Bureau was there to help to guide his life. There is the obvious threat that, if Norris tells anyone, he will be ‘reset’. Apparently, Norris is supposed to meet Sellas only once and then forget her.
To keep him from her, Richardson goes so far as to burn the paper with her phone number on it. This part, in general, just ticked me off since it seemed meddlesome and I thought that Norris should have had the choice.
Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie) is introduced, though he was seen earlier as the guy that fell asleep, as a ‘caseworker’ or ‘angel’. This scene confused me, since I wasn’t sure if he was supposed to help Norris or the Bureau.
It took a few years for Norris to meet with Sellas again, but unfortunately, the Bureau started to interfere to keep them apart. This point remains unresolved since Norris does what he can to make sure that they do see each other.
It’s here that there’s another confusing shift in the movie, as Thompson (Terence Stamp) takes responsibility for Norris’ case. Again, Norris is taken to a warehouse and claims that he has the right to choose how he lives.
After going to Sellas’ ballet recital, not only does Thompson threaten his future, but hers, too. Overwhelmed, Norris abandons Sellas at the hospital after she hurts her ankle. This scene gives a sci-fi feel, just from the fact that Thompson could do something like that without effort.
Almost a year later, with Norris running for reelection, he hears about Sellas’ upcoming wedding. Influenced by a bout of guilt, Harry contacts Norris and tells him how Thompson exaggerated the consequences if Sellas and he became a couple.
With a sense of déjà-vu, Norris again finds Sellas in a bathroom just before her wedding. Though she is understandably upset, she at least listens to him about the Bureau’s existence. To say that she is surprised is an understatement; it’s not every day that someone tells you about a secret bureau set to control your life.
As a whole, The Adjustment Bureau kept me entertained despite the occasional dull parts. I suggest that you watch if you enjoy sci-fi, suspense and romance all balled into one.
