Movie Review: The Adjustment Bureau

---

By Ian Gustafson, 19, Michigan USA

So, do you believe that everything is predestined or that we have free will? What? You think that’s kind of a heavy subject? Not really the kind of thing you talk about when you’re just having fun at the movies with your friends? Then you haven’t seen The Adjustment Bureau. Starring Matt Damon, as a fledgling politician, this film explores the questions that have been asked for centuries and still somehow manages to maintain an exciting, but lighthearted, tone, making it an entertaining show to catch on the weekend.

David Norris (Damon) recently lost his bid for New York senate but surprised the state with an unorthodox speech. He was already predicted to be a frontrunner in the next election. It’s around this time that he bumps into Elise (Emily Blunt) and the two instantly find a mutual attraction to each other. Upon a series of chance encounters with one another, David feels what he has never felt before and wants nothing more than to be with this woman. Enter, the Adjustment Bureau. Poor David discovers this secret society of fedora-wearing “case workers” soon after falling in love with Elise. The men rationalize with him, explaining it’s their job to make sure things go according to “the Plan.” The trouble is that according to the Plan, David and Elise were only supposed to meet once. Hence a series of supernatural high-speed chases and cosmic trickery quickly ensues as David desperately attempts to elude the Bureau and make his own plan.

The Adjustment Bureau follows what seems to be a recently bloomed tradition of lacing philosophical and religious subjects into blockbuster films. This is a great opportunity to begin conversations with friends of other faiths (or lack thereof) about their beliefs regarding fate and the choices we make. It does have some content one might find objectionable (some profanity and a brief fling between the two main characters is portrayed) but the discussions that can be started by seeing the film are invaluable. The Adjustment Bureau doesn’t solve the debates regarding destiny and it doesn’t attempt to. It merely challenges us to think about them.

Though directed at a generally secular audience, the film features heavily influenced Judeo-Christian themes. The arguments regarding these issues run rampant even among Christians who recognize the authority of the Bible. It’s important to remember that both sides of the debate acknowledge the existence of, and worship, a loving and righteous God. Psalm 136:1-3 proclaims: “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.”