The Adjustment Bureau: Now On DVD

my rating: 3 out of 5


The Adjustment Bureau takes Hollywood romance and repackages it in a weird science- fiction format. It makes for a fairly enjoyable and unpredictable ride. It comes out on DVD tomorrow, Tuesday, June 21.


Matt Damon plays David Norris, an energetic and successful politician who meets a woman by chance in a bathroom. (Not as scandalous as it sounds.) Sparks fly between the two, even though they are both very reserved, and a curiously and emotionally restrained romance begins. However, outside forces begin interfering with David's life. Strange circumstances and forces begin to prevent him from pursuing Elise (Emily Blunt.) David realizes that there is an "adjustment bureau" in the otherworld that is assigned to manipulate people and circumstances in order to fulfill God's will.


This movie is based on a short story by Philip Dick. This guy died in 1982, but he has had several of his short stories and novels adapted to movies. Total Recall, Blade Runner, Paycheck, Minority Report, and now The Adjustment Bureau are all based on his writings. Philip Dick often wrote of spiritual ideas, and philosophical ponderings on the nature of human life and Religion.


The Adjustment Bureau brings up compelling ideas about the nature of free will versus predestined fate. It is told as a love story, but introduces more supernatural characters (members of the "Adjustment Bureau", dressed and behaving like 1940's FBI) who discuss, at length, the nature of humanity's ability to steer their own fate. They also discuss and demonstrate their own responsibility to direct, manipulate, and alter people's fates when it is necessary to fulfill what God wants. Yeah, I know. It ain't exactly Sleepless in Seattle. But, it's still a love story. And, it provides really ridiculous excuses to create exciting action sequences, too.


I will give The Adjustment Bureau props for tackling interesting material. And, a love story, too, if that interests you. Even though the conclusion does not fully satisfy the subject to my personal liking, what can you do? It's a Hollywood flick. I guess they can't get too deep with the philosophy stuff, or it becomes stuffy, or sidetracked. But, for what it is, it is entertaining. And, I like John Slattery from Mad Men. So, I recommend The Adjustment Bureau.

Stay tuned tomorrow. It's the first official day of summer, and I'll be rolling out my list of favorite summer flicks. Return to put in your own two cents about your fav summer flicks.