The Adjustment Bureau | B

The subject matter of The Adjustment Bureau hardly enters new territory. Based on the short story Adjustment Team by Philip K. Dick, the general plot has been done before. Star-crossed lovers try to overcome the odds while supernatural or even divine forces stand in the way of their being together. The story is one for the ages, but the telling, surprisingly, is refreshingly new.

David Norris (Matt Damon, True Grit) is a young New York politician with a bright future. On the night of a major loss, he has a chance encounter with the girl of his dreams (Emily Blunt, The Young Victoria). Soon however, their relationship begins to deviate from the plan of the Adjustment Bureau, a team of Mad Men-era, fedora-wearing individuals who monitor and "adjust" the thoughts and actions of humans to make sure they stay on the right life path. Norris, confronted with the choice between a future in his career or with his dream girl, must find a way to outsmart the Adjustment Bureau so that he can have both.

Though the end result is, admittedly, predictable, the development of the film's plot is not. Writer, director and producer George Nolfi does a great job of weaving the story so as to only reveal a little bit of information at a time. The plot progresses naturally for the most part, keeping the viewer entertained and always searching for the next morsel of information in order to truly understand the nature of the Adjustment Bureau. The film delivers, leaving the audience satisfied with the resolution. The dialogue is fun and never overburdens the audience with too many details.

Damon and Blunt are, as always, effortlessly charming, with an undeniable chemistry that allows for believable, love-at-first-sight magnetism (a true feat when you consider that in similar storylines, the romance often comes off as a creepy infatuation). The Adjustment Bureau has a stellar supporting cast including The Hurt Locker's Anthony Mackie, veteran actor Terence Stamp (Get Smart) and John Slattery of TV's Mad Men. The film also featured a multitude of cameos by various political figures (Jesse Jackson, James Carville and Mary Matalin) to legitimize Norris' political career.

The most disconcerting thing about the film is the frequent time lapses. The movie jumps forward in time three times before finally settling on the time period where the actual action will be taking place. This makes it difficult for viewers to connect, especially when the characters appear completely unchanged after we haven't seen them for three years.

Despite some unnecessary cheesiness at the end, The Adjustment Bureau is an entertaining and exciting movie throughout with a personality and creativity that give this age-old story a modern twist.