‘The Adjustment Bureau’ is classic Philip K. Dick

By John Soltes

Well, 2011 has found its first cinematic gem.

The Adjustment Bureau, directed by the skilled George Nolfi and based on a story by the infamous sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, is a convoluted maze of philosophy, religion and love. Matt Damon’s portrayal of Congressman David Norris is one of his finest performances, and Emily Blunt as the inaccessible object of his affection is simply ravishing.

The premise is classic mindbender: David is a Brooklyn politician with his sights set on becoming the freshman senator of New York. We watch him with his “authentic” charm and “from-the-streets” credibility. He shakes hands and gives rousing speeches. He’s that rare politician who you’d love to have a beer with.

When an embarrassing college picture makes the front page of a tabloid paper, David watches his ascendant candidacy shrivel up like a flower in October. He loses the election bid, but somehow all is not lost. In the bathroom of the hotel where he is to give his concession speech, he bumps into Elise Sellas (Blunt), a ballerina who is on the run from security guards after crashing a wedding.

The two have a fleeting moment of love at first sight, they kiss ever so gently, and that’s it. They part, and likely would have never seen each other again.

That’s where the Adjustment Bureau enters the picture. Months later, with David now heading into private business, something happens that throws everything off-kilter. As we come to learn, there is an agency that watches almost every move we make. Our life trajectories are handled with care by these quasi-angels in business suits and fedoras. They apparently are messengers from God, though their religious undertones are never fully explained.

On the day when David is meant to start a new high-profile job, Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie of The Hurt Locker), an agent of the Adjustment Bureau, drops the ball. He is supposed to make sure that David spills his coffee. Instead, Mitchell falls asleep on a park bench and David catches the bus he was supposed to miss.

Who does he sit next to? Why, the woman of his dreams: Elise.

The rest of the movie continues like a warped cat-and-mouse game with the Adjustment Bureau stepping in to let David know that he can’t see Elise ever again. The man upstairs has greater plans for this former congressman, but he needs to steer clear of this sexy ballerina and her influential ways. Through the chases, Nolfi creates exquisite visuals with doors opening from one area of New York City to a completely different one.

Dick’s story, which is aided by a great screenplay by Nolfi, never gets carried away with rules and conditions of this seemingly alternate world (this is not The Matrix). Instead, the story focuses on this budding love between David and Elise. Can it overcome monumental obstacles?

The performances are all fine, with Damon’s portrayal anchoring the film. I especially appreciated Blunt’s work and Mad Men’s John Slattery turn as a boss in the agency. Michael Kelly is also quite good as David’s best friend and political adviser.

What makes The Adjustment Bureau such a watchable and enjoyable film is the love interest at its center. This is a romance with some science fiction throw in. It’ll make you think, but only after it makes you care.

The Adjustment Bureau

2011

Directed by George Nofli

Written by George Nolfi, based on a story by Philip K. Dick

Starring Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, John Slattery and Anthony Mackie

Running time: 106 minutes

Bubble score: 3.5 out of 4