Film Review: Chemistry of Matt Damon, Emily Blunt Drives ‘The Adjustment Bureau’

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CHICAGO – George Nolfi’s “The Adjustment Bureau,” starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, is a nearly-great movie, a rare piece that merges romance and science fiction into something that is at-times mesmerizing. A few hiccups in the screenwriting late in the film hold it back from its true potential but this is still worth a look for sci-fi fans and even those usually uninterested in the genre.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

The one thing that really matters about “The Adjustment Bureau” is that the chemistry between its two gorgeous leads is simply spectacular. From the very minute they lock eyes in one of the best romantic meeting scenes in movie history, the concept that they have been fated to find each other and that their love can overcome any obstacle is set in stone. It’s essential for the success of the movie that follows that we not only believe that Blunt and Damon are in love but that their love is the kind that change the course of the future. Believe it not, there’s not one moment in the film where that chemistry falters. And, for the romantics out there, this will soon become a cherished drama.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “The Adjustment Bureau” in our reviews section.

Damon plays David Norris, a rising politician in New York who seems destined for the Senate and probably even higher but can’t quite seem to get it together. A last-minute scandal derails what appears to be a certain win as the movie opens and he’s preparing to give his concession speech when he runs into a dancer named Elise (Blunt) in the men’s room. She’s hiding out because she just crashed a wedding and security is after her. The two banter brilliantly for a little bit and even kiss but she runs off, likely to never be seen again.

While these opening scenes are happening, we see men in trenchcoats and hats watching the action, often from rooftops, as if they have something to do with it. Months later, after David’s concession speech, inspired by Elise of course, has made him into an even bigger political rock star, one of the mysterious men (Anthony Mackie) is ordered to make David spill his coffee. It seems he’s not supposed to get on a bus that morning and make it to work. When his “watcher” falls asleep and misses his mark, David not only runs into Elise again on the bus but gets to work to find everyone frozen and being “recalibrated.” Like when Neo met Morpheus, the walls are down.

Continue reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “The Adjustment Bureau” review.

The Adjustment Bureau
Photo credit: Universal Pictures