The Minority Report - "The Adjustment Bureau" (2011)

What if someone existed that influenced the course of humanity? This person would have the ability to assemble a group of people tasked with tracking the progression of humanity so that it does not go off a predetermined plan due to chance or free will. What if this person or entity got in the way of the person you love? This is the plot of “The Adjustment Bureau.” If you just suspend your disbelief and do not mind ignoring some flaws, you will have an enjoyable experience with this movie.

Matt Damon plays the character David Norris, who is a politician running for senate, who runs into Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) fatefully one night, and instantly falls in love. David then wanders through life after that night searching for this mystery woman, eventually meeting her again on a bus, by pure chance. This was never supposed to happen, according to the “Chairman’s” grand plan, and thus begins a fight for love and persistence over written fate. Matt Damon does not give the performance of his lifetime, playing a normal guy who has to battle against extraordinary circumstances, but at times it just seems like it isn’t the most believable performance (which could also be the script’s fault). This then brings up the biggest issue with the film, which is that it feels rushed.

With its 106 minute running time, it suffers from the complexity of the issue at hand. It not only has to flush out an alternative universe and its set of rules, but also establish a tense and loving relationship between David and Elise. It simply doesn’t have enough time. Further, it could have been a better movie if it executed the ending better (maybe). Also, it had filler scenes (do I really need to see Matt Damon run all over town over and over? Though I ain’t complaining…), which could have been due to a lack of budget or time.

It had so much potential to be one of those films that is unique and inspiring, but instead ended up giving simple entertainment. One thing I do have to give it props for is that it combines two genres excellently: it kept the mystery alive throughout the film while also spicing up the romance in a very well put together equilibrium. I just left the theater thinking that it could have been so much more and not so predictable. In the end it was like watching paint dry into its predetermined fate decided by the “Chairman,” but it is still a pretty picture.

By V-Dawg