There are many interesting ideas in The Adjustment Bureau and its comparison to Inception is obvious. It is also clearly a work based on the writings of Philip K. Dick: the idea that the real world isn’t quite what it seems and that there’s some higher power watching over everything. The thing is, for all it’s quirkiness and outlandish moments, of which there were many that I was genuinely impressed with, it lacked that vital energy to make the overall conspiratorial arch of the narrative shine. A shame considering the potential.
Thank god then for the two leads. At its heart is the love story between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt and for the film to work it is imperative for the audience to invest in their relationship. The chemistry between to two feels entirely genuine and once the inevitable moment comes when Damon must sacrifice everything for the woman he loves, the emotional resonance is pitch perfect. I’m hardly one for sentimentality but at no point does the central romance feel forced or fake and when the entire story hinges on this romance, it’s quite an accomplishment to find yourself so invested in these characters.
So it’s a mixed bag. Its ideas are clever and the central dynamic of Damon and Blunt is terrific but there is an underlying flair that fails to make this movie shine. Not a bad effort though.
3/5
P.S. I loved the score. Thomas Newman is one of my favourite composers.
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