The Adjustment Bureau starring Matt Damon & Emily Blunt
Dave Norris (Matt Damon) is a promising senate candidate for New York until a past college moment comes out and kills his chances. While he’s preparing for his defeat speech, he runs into the beautiful and interesting Elise, who has been hiding in the men’s bathroom from the security because she crashed a wedding.
Elise and Dave hit it off, with instant chemistry and compatibility. Their magical moment is cut short when David needs to the speech and she has to outrun the security. When he sees her by chance one morning on the bus, the magic is still there and now he has her phone number.
Unfortunately, fate has other plans. Literally. Agents of Fate, or The Adjustment Bureau as they call themselves, have already decided on Dave’s fate- it is to get elected in the next election- and keep getting elected until he becomes the president. They believe Elise is a distraction and he would never be that politically ambitious if they happen to get together. So they intervene-by kidnapping Dave and explaining the situation.
While David is determined to keep his free will, they take away Elise’s phone number and threaten to reset him, meaning they’ll erase his memories (and everything that makes him him.) if he happens to tell anyone about them. Disappointed and upset, Dave doesn’t seem to have much choice…That’s until he coincidentally runs into Elise three years later, and explains to her why he hasn’t called…
Of course it will be hard to maintain a relationship when the agents are determined to keep them apart. And it all comes down to one question: Which is stronger- free will or fate?
*
Do you believe in fate? If you don’t believe in fate…even just a little bit, the movie’s point might be obsolete for you. The movie isn’t for the 100% fatalists either. Agents represent the events we can’t control, coincidences are events even they can’t control, and then there is the freewill and the question of how strong it can be.
I believe in making our own paths, but I can’t claim that it is all my own doing. There’re many things that I can’t control or change, but I try not to stray from the path I’ve chosen for myself. And in that, I identified a lot with Dave. He’s honest, idealistic, passionate and a true romantic. He believes in fighting for what he believes in-no matter what the odds are.
The movie has shown a fun yet frustrating portrayal of things we choose vs. things we can’t, and overall it has a very positive message of what we can do with our lives if we want it enough.
I loved the movie, but why shouldn’t I? I’m a dreamer, a romantic and a stubborn writer who’s determined to make all her dreams come true. Oh, and I’ve always liked Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.
Written and directed by George Nolfi – based on Philip K. Dick’s short story Adjustment Team.
7 on IMDB. 8 for the entertainment value.
Other Emily Blunt Movies Featured
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen starring Ewan McGregor & Emily Blunt
Wind Chill starring Emily Blunt & Ashton Holmes
The Jane Austen Book Club feat. Blunt, Hugh Dancy, Maria Bello& Kevin Zegers
Other Matt Damon Movies Featured
Gülten says
When I watched the film I admired David’s stubbornness. Because he took the same bus for (if Iremember true ) 3 years which he ran across Elise and took her phone number. Finally, he saw Elise again on the same bus route…
One more thing, do not you feel that one power does not let you reach your goals even if you did everyting true? In that case what do you choise? Let your goals to be cleared from your mind in time or insist on the power to reach your goals?
See by.
zoey says
I fell in love with David’s character, and saw so many traits in him that I also have: he is a die-hard romantic, he won’t settle for less than what he dreams and desires and he goes after what he wants. I loved the way how he made things happen, and how he carried out his freewill.
I’d say insist on your own powers. Don’t listen to what others see or thing. If you need more freedom, ask for it. If you need more money, make it. If you want true passion, don’t just settle on the first guy who wants you. And in the end, you’ll get what you want. After all, even the universe admires strong-willed people who get what they want without hurting others.
And I’d be very happy with a guy like him.
And thanks for commenting. : )
Patricia Rodrigues says
Great review, Pinar!
Matt has a huge fan since Hereafter, however he really ‘hit the nail on the head’ with this movie. I love his character…. and Emily Blunt is brilliant in everything she does. 🙂
zoey says
Emily is beautiful and extremely talented. Can you believe she never danced before this movie? She made an impressive dancer.
I love the fact that she is so diverse in her roles. She was a stuck-up, sexually repressed French teacher in The Jane Austen Book Club, a girl stuck in a war against the nature and supernatural in Wind Chill, an obligatory bitch in Devi Wears Prada…
But I have to say my favorite Blunt effort (as well as my favorite McGregor) is Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Did you see it?