With ideas constantly going dry, Hollywood is always looking for the next best thing, which in this day and age are reboots, revamps, or whatever you would like to call them. We have come to a point in our lives where films are now being recycled, at least more so than ever before. So when Hollywood gets an original idea, they pass on it and use something that can be adapted, such as Philip K Dick’s short, Adjustment Team. Philip K. Dick adaptions have been pretty good so far, right?
Let’s go down the list real quick
Blade Runner – Check
Total Recall – Check
Minority Report – Check
Scanner Darkly – Check
Paycheck… Ouch. Can’t win them all.
Directed and Written by: George Nolfi
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, John Slattery, Terrence Stamp, Anthony Mackie, Michael Kelly, and Anthony Ruivivar
Plot: David Norris (Damon) is a congressman on a path of success until a mysterious woman enters his life (Blunt), changing the course of their lives forever.
So what’s it really about: I would love to tell you that the movie is just a giant government conspiracy and that they are running from an elite society, but it just isn’t as simple as that. I will tell you this: by the end of the movie, I was really wishing it would have been either of those things.
In the trailer above there is a scene where Damon tries to run away and the bureau lift up a piece of the floor to trip him. It’s excellent, and one of the single most thought provoking moments in the entire movie. It was wasted in the trailer. As a viewer, you’re supposed to be completely puzzled by how the Bureau gets from place to place in a matter of seconds, but if you have seen Scott Pilgrim, sub space travel just isn’t nearly as appealing as it should be in this film.
One thing for sure is that the acting is nothing short of spectacular. With acting chops from the likes of Blunt, Slattery, and Damon, it really should come as no surprise. Emily Blunt is one of the most astonishing actresses of our generation, her ability to fall into a role is nothing short of perfection. There are a few scenes where Blunt has some dancing scenes that are so beautiful and elegant they can almost be compared to the Natalie Portman’s Oscar-winning performance in Black Swan. The chemistry between Damon and Blunt is uncharted brilliance as they both compliment each other marvellously. Damon takes a back seat to the infectiously talented John Slattery of Mad Men fame, and surprisingly, not once did I think of Slattery’s role of Roger Sterling from Mad Men. In the film he is one of the more mysterious Bureau members, face shown just enough to be intimidating, but also off camera enough to make the audience fear his lurking demeanor.
The movie really isn’t a cinematic victory by any means, but its story tugs and pulls you along for a pretty eventful ride. This incredibly mediocre movie would have been a truly immaculate concept for television. It’s a sad case of a touching story, with too little time to show it off. Clever concept, not good enough to become a trilogy, and certainly not rewarding enough to even daunt the idea of a sequel.
Did I hate it? No, not at all. It has its exciting moments and it has Matt Damon, who is slowly becoming an action movie star right before our very eyes. The difference is, this kid has got the acting skills to back it up. I will end the review on this note – wait until you find out how the Adjustment Bureau are able to move through sub-space, you just might laugh out loud as the carpet is pulled right out from under your feet.
Just my adjusted opinion.
Tags: Adjustment Bureau, Emily Blunt, John Slattery, Matt Damon, movies, Nick Furious
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Adjusted opinion…that’s great! I enjoyed the movie. Not blown away by any means, but definitely worth seeing. Thanks Nick!
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I’m more hesitant to see ‘Limitless’ w/ Cooper and DeNiro. I will definitely have to see ‘The Adjustment Bureau’ because I am very analytical, some say overanalytical, and am curious to see how much depth this movie has. Although I must admit it seems eerily similar, but less creepier, to ‘Dark City’ (of course no darkness, creepy evil soul-suckers with telekinetic powers, or mass amnesia/narcolepsy hahaha)
Dark City, great movie!
Agreed! Love it
I wouldn’t mind see Nicholas Cage in movie like this. That man can act but has been in “I need a paycheck mode” to pay off his Mt Everest of debt. Matt Damon is an Action Star check out this quote from 40 year old virgin. David: (While watching the Bourne Identity) I always thought that Matt Damon was like a Streisand, but I think he’s rockin’ the shit in this one!
i was never really interested in seeing the movie. Good work on sharing about equal parts positive and negative feedback to the audience.
I agree that the trailer completely ruined the movie…even though I still loved it
Hantsbarger something tells me you haven’t even seen this movie, I am pretty sure you just like to get a rise out of me. We’ll settle this in the real life, comicbooked isn’t quite ready for the epic battle of Furious vs. Hantsbarger
I always enjoy reading your reviews Nick! Look forward to reading more in the future — and maybe my gender makes me biased, but I can always enjoy something with Matt Damon.
I’m commenting because you asked me to. I haven’t seen this movie. Now, I’m not sure that I want to.
I was really indifferent about seeing this movie to begin with.
Afte this I think I’m definitely going to have to pass on it though.
Maybe if it’s on cabel sometime I’ll watch it, but outside of that probably not.
Also, this is part of my brilliant strategy to get a new article in the ‘popular articles’ section haha
I rememebr soemone makign a joke about ‘Matt Damon threw a fit because they didn’t need him for “Inception”, so now he’s doing “The Adjustment Bureau” ‘ hahaha
Wow! This article has been really well edited! Good job that guy.
My name is Colin Bell and I endorse the effort to make this one of the most popular posts…
… on Comic Booked.
Haha I don’t know why it isn’t in there yet. One day, an article will defeat Crimson Blur’s epic intro post… one day… haha
BUt until then, we shall fight on! To stay on topic though, I really think this movie looked pretty mediocre.
Thanks for the article. I love Philip K. Dick’s work, but it can be very hit or miss – much like the movies. I am really curious about how the 2 new Blade Runner movies are going to be adapted. They will likely have little to do with his work but hold promise.
Great article. I always enjoy a good matt damon movie, and im a guy. I think even though the idea seems a little weird, this will still be a good movie. I think sometimes good acting can overcome weird ideas. Even though the trailer wasnt great i found the article to be effective. I will read more in the future.
Winning!
Matt Damon…
MATT DAMON!
The last thing I remember him being particularly good in was ‘The Departed’.
I kind of wish that he would team up with Affleck again for something. They worked well together.
hahahahah I love you guys! I love this job!
We’re glad! Thas the whole point isnt it?
Seems like this movie has a lot of potential.
I’m glad it isn’t a tired idea like Shutter Island (Am I crazy vs. is it real….I hate that).
What looks really good about this is that it deals with a very real issue that we ALL have to face: is it fate or is it free will?
Predetermination or Choice?
Is this some sort of plan to take me down as the number 1 post? Because these comments suck! Haha. Was Jordan drunk?
Haha it was all part of our brilliant strategy! XD
Totally kidding by the way, great article man!
lol I was wondering if Jordan was drunk as well hahah, but we’ve all been there.
@Andy…that WOULD have been a good idea…apparently they saved that for another movie.
Previews now days have a tendency to ruin movies by giving away to much or not being interesting enough. This one I am sure is giving away to much but I still want to see it because I am curious and I like Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Great review by the way!
Haha I wasn’t drunk, but before I started doing these there was a bunch of comments, so this seemed the most likely palce to start our revolution of comments and revoke your top spot position! MUAHAHAHAHA haha No Hard Feelings there Blur!
I really enjoyed this review, it seemed to show the positives and negatives of the movie really well. I was intrigued by the idea of this movie, and I love all things with Matt Damon – even tho I’ll still wait for DVD. Thanks for the food for thought!
Haha It’s so close!
I actually might be seeing this movie now, some friends want to go, but I’m trying to talk them out of it.
I like cheese.
What i also like is PK Dick’s parables of paranoia and loss of self through a techno punk universe.
@Jason Are they parables or autobiography? Both?
I do agree with Nick ehre about ‘Paycheck’, that movie was kind of ironic in that its name was all it was to Ben Affleck.
Have they ever done a movie for “Neuromancer” by William Gibson? He’s a great techno novelist, too!
I don’t think that they did. Would be interesting though!
Now you have hit on the big question! When, when, when do we get some Gibson books adapted?! All Tomorrow’s Parties, Mona Lisa Overdrive, Spook Country… the waiting is painful! There are so many excellent SF books just waiting to be adapted. A personal favorite, Robert Heinlein’s The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress was optioned years ago!
Phillip K still has about 3 other movies in the works based on his literature. This just didn’t translate well to film, its a concept that needed to be explored more, and it would have flourished on television. Remember THE CAPE? hahahahahahahah
Wait, was THE CAPE based off of one of his books? That show was pretty terrible…
Or were you making a joke because he ALSO has a work titled ‘The Cape’?
Which ones? Please say Flow My Tears the Policeman Said.
lol THE CAPE was a tv show on NBC that was about this guy who was “killed” but hangs out with circus people and some hot chick with computers. He has a wife and kids so he never tried to get with hot chick. He also has a cape. Show was awful. Horribly written. Horrible acting. Made you want to hang yourself from a chandelier
I just saw this and though I think it is an original idea and it has excellent acting, I do have to agree with there being a lack of awe. At first I was really intrigued at who these people were and why they had to be so involved in his life. It seems like they just rushed through the ending and totally turned the tables at the last minute. It’s hard to comment without giving the movie away, but I walked out of the theater thinking “why did the whole premise of the movie change?” Nevertheless, I did enjoy it and would say it is worth seeing.
I will go see just about anything with Matt Damon in it!
I thought the movie adaption of A Scanner Darkly was pretty entertaining! Loved Downey Jr.’s character!
Luckman: You’re the only person in the known universe who’s never heard of the Heimlich maneuver?
Barris: Alright, I’m gonna give you a little feedback since you seem to be proceeding through life like a cat without whiskers perpetually caught behind the refrigerator. Your life and watching you live it is like a gag-reel of ineffective bodily functions. I swear to god that a toddler has a better understanding of the intricacies of chew-swallow-digest-don’t kill yourself on your TV dinner! And yet you’ve managed to turn this near death fuckup of yours into a moral referendum on me!
Luckman: You are a monster!
Barris: You are a billy goat!