Here is a link to Amazon UK to buy this copy at the best price:
"…Your Future Is About Your
Choices…Not Theirs…"
"The Adjustment Bureau" is that rare beast– a future-bending
Sci-Fi romance blockbuster with heart and warmth and quite possibly two of the
most likeable lead actors in the world - both exuding a genuine and believable chemistry…
After the loss of his entire family and an 8-year career
climb as the youngest ever Congressman - US Senate hopeful David Norris is
poised for the throne of New York State when a barroom moon years earlier conveniently
makes the front page of The Post. Preparing his defeat speech by himself in the
men’s toilet of a plush hotel – David meets a woman’s who’s crashed a wedding
on a dare and is hiding out in the cubicles from Security. Earthy, natural and
everything his crafted campaign strategy isn’t – the flighty and talented British
ballet dancer Elise is a breath of fresh air. He is stunned and smitten after
only minutes of electrifying conversation and they quickly launch into a mutually
uncontrollable snog…
But mystery men who stalk the top of Manhattan buildings wearing
1940’s style Trilby hats and immaculate overcoats - have other ideas. They carry
with them books that show every-changing grids and expanding street maps like
they’re controlling people’s lives. They are convinced their all-powerful ‘chairman’
has decreed that these two people’s pathways must not converge no matter what
the personal cost. So David and Elise need to be subtly adjusted.
Adapted from another ingenious Philip K Dick story (other
adaptations include "Blade Runner", "A Scanner Darkly", "Minority Report" and "Total
Recall") – the look of the film is cleverly not futuristic. Director George
Nolfi uses glossy uptown locations, clean-lined buildings and real world sets
so that it doesn’t feel like the mind-bending world of "Inception". And the
‘God’ angle doesn’t get in the way of the story or the romance but only adds to
it. Damon’s struggle with his heart versus politics is brilliantly handled. His
suddenly honest speech to the party faithful about "Phrases that pulled
traction with focus groups…" and why his ties and shoes have the right colour
and correct mount of scuffing to secure the workingman’s vote - is properly brilliant
writing. Then a dozing operative (a great part for David Mackie) forgets to
spill coffee on Norris’ shirt at exactly 7:05 a.m. one morning before he boards
a bus to work – and thus begins the dance of David and Elise towards each other
as they meet yet again and click like before.
As you can imagine with subject matter as ropey as this – it
could all have gone horribly wrong in the hands of some ‘name’ stars that might
look good but share no real vibe. But the naturalness of both lead actors goes
a long way to making the audience care. There are many moments between them as
characters that are genuinely touching – giggling over coffee and mobile phones
– racing each other down a night street in the wet. Then David stumbles on a
mind recalibration in progress in his offices and runs like any scared man
would. But he’s cornered in a car park by these angels of sorts and is told
that not only is his relationship with Elise verboten but if he tells anyone of
their existence – he’ll be memory-lobotomised (but in a nice way). But love has
taken hold of his heart and hers - and they make a run for a future together despite
the overwhelming odds.
Will freedom of choice and protecting your soul mate win the
day? Well after a few trips to Yankee Stadium and the Statue of Liberty via
doors that act as portals and a little help from an angel who feels his
assignment is just plain wrong – they might just stand a chance - despite the
efforts of a fearsome Terrance Stamp and a bumbling John Slattery (both
superbly cast in their parts).
Original issues are a Triple Play package coming with a Blu Ray, DVD and
Digital Copy. The BLU RAY 1080p picture is defaulted to 1.85:1 so fills the
screen and is visually beautiful throughout. This is a big movie and has those huge
production values screaming off every frame. The audio is English DTS-HD Master
Audio 5.1, English Audio Description Track 2.0, Latin American Spanish and
Canadian French DTS. The subtitles are English SDH, Latin American Spanish and
Canadian French.
The extras are pleasingly comprehensive too:
1. The Labyrinth Of Doors: Interactive Map Of New
York
2. Leaping Through New York
3. Destined To Be
4. Becoming Elise
5. Deleted and Extended Scenes
6. Feature Commentary
"The Adjustment Bureau" is a lovely upbeat film with wit,
charm and cleverness in its storyline that will keep you coming back for more. Chuck
away those false clip-on ties people and tip an old-fashioned hat at Director
George Nolfi - because this is one cinematic door you should definitely open…
