The Adjustment Bureau

I went into this movie with certain expectations and I got a different entertainment experience than what I was expecting. “The Adjustment Bureau” was full of religious themes and the purpose of the film is to get people thinking. I have seen just how confused people are in the world over the subject of free agency or the freedom to act for ourselves and not be acted upon. The ideas of an omnipotent, omniscient being and free will seem to contradict each other. According to my faith, they do not but this movie uses that supposed contradiction to explore ideas of fate, a supreme force and choice. The film was good but it would have been better if the movie were fun to watch like “Inception”. “The Adjustment Bureau” is one of those movies that you have to pay attention to as you watch it. The exposition scenes tend to have a lot of info. Because of the love story, the film has a center and that is most important. I may seem kind of preachy with this review but that is because I wish to share my knowledge, which dispels all hopelessness that one may gleam from this story.

I prefer to state my view on the religious themes to start with. According to the film, there is a human-like organization in the world that has the ability of foresight and a power similar to the Force in “Star Wars”. This Bureau uses this power, as well as the ability to use doors to travel instantly to other locations, to make adjustments in people’s lives so that things will happen according to plan. For example, they cause you to loose your keys so that you will speed to work and get into a car accident. This allows you to meet the woman that you will marry. “The Chairman” who appears to be more powerful and all knowing than the “caseworkers” leads the Bureau. The foresight of the caseworkers is based on the options people think of and not every inner thought in our brains. Water limits their power also. These limitations make the caseworks similar to angels and the Chairman represents God. The movie does not hide these references but verbally points them out to the audience. The Adjustment Bureau has been around since the dawn of time. They have tried to let humans have free will but thus occurred the Dark Ages, both world wars, the Great Depression and the Cold War. The plot of the film makes it appear like the Bureau cannot be overcome but every once in a while; certain humans earn the right to act for themselves. Chance is another force in the film and it plays an important role. As mentioned, people will come away from this movie wondering about the power that controls their lives if any. Do we as mortals have the power to choose or are our lives predetermined? Some people think that if there is a God, it means that we have no power over our lives. That is not so according to my faith. There is a God but he is not a “Chairman” but rather a loving Father. The film addresses only life on earth where in reality, we had a life in heaven with our Father before we came to earth. He does have a plan for his children and this website tells about the plan he has created. “The Adjustment Bureau” is a secret organization but God works not in secret combinations. Our Heavenly Father wants his children to know about the overall plan and about their own personal plans. It is true that there are some things that God cannot reveal unto us but he has called men on earth to reveal those things we can and should know. This website talks more about that subject (we can also receive personal revelation from God). God is all-powerful and all knowing but he has given unto mortal man free agency or in other words the ability to make choices. For more on this subject, this website contains the message of a man in our time who has been called by God to reveal such truths as they really are. This movie however leaves out the idea of the Devil or Satan. The Supreme Society in “The Adjustment Bureau” is portrayed as antagonistic where in reality, there is a power for good and another for evil. A classic theme in the film is that love conquers all and this appeals to the audience for entertainment purposes.

The plot of the film is a well-written story. The exposition scenes are masterfully crafted also and the film takes us on a roller coaster ride of hopeful feelings followed by pessimism. The opening montage is well handled to bring appeal to the character of David. His first meeting with Elise is also well scripted in that we see a genuine connection between her and David. The first exposition scene in the warehouse with Richardson gives the audience a sense of hopelessness. The next exposition scene with Harry however gives us some hope. The Bureau is not as powerful as we thought. When David succeeds in seeing Elise dance and the Bureau finds out that David and Elise are in a way destined to be together, there is more hopefulness. Then Thompson shows up and delivers some great exposition on the Bureau’s impact on the history of the world. When he sprains Elise’s foot, we once again loose optimism for our two main characters. It seems that Harry is the most vital character in the whole movie. Without him, David would have no inside information and no way to overcome the obstacles that are put in his way. Harry once again provides David with the knowledge that Thompson was exaggerating the effects of David’s relationship with Elise. David makes the decision to do whatever it takes to be with Elise and in turn, Elise trusts David in his quest. It was established at one point in the film that a true kiss between them would change their plans. David and Elise kiss when all hope is lost and express their love for each other. This allows the Chairman to alter their plan so that they now have free will. This ending has good implications in that we as a human race must make our own choices in life. One might assume however that David and Elise now have a free life and can do anything they want. Not so. In society, there is a huge cry for freedom but we must remember another saying that fittingly enough also originates from the big screen: “With great power, comes great responsibility.” I wish to make another religious point here. God has given us free agency but that does not free us from the consequences of our actions. When we abuse our agency, it is taken away. I will illustrate with an example. Compare two people, one who smokes and the other who doesn’t. Who has more freedom of choice? The smoker has an addiction and they must pay money to smoke because of the addiction. They have trouble breathing, they will get sick and their life is shortened. The non-smoker does not have to pay money all the time to smoke; they have no trouble breathing and will live longer. For every action, there is a reaction. When people misuse their agency, they come under bondage. We must be accountable for our choices in life. “The Adjustment Bureau” is a good movie with a good use of religious themes that will affect the audience but we must not get carried away with what we learn from a movie.

The cast in the film is its best quality. Matt Damon persona makes him perfect as a politician and Emily Blunt was awesome. She was attractive inside and outside. I loved John Slattery on “Flags of out Fathers” and “Iron Man 2” and he was the perfect choice for Richardson. Terrance Stamp (who was in Star Wars: Episode I) becomes a Jedi in this movie. Either that or he got his superpowers back that he had in Superman II. Seriously speaking though, the other actors playing caseworkers are chosen so that they do not outshine Stamp. His persona was perfect as “the hammer”. “The Adjustment Bureau” relates to “Forrest Gump” and “The Matrix” because of the themes addressed. Are we in control of our lives, is there a supreme being, how powerful is man over his own fate? The film speaks that we have control over our own destinies but I wish to point out that it doesn’t mean that the world is without supervision. I have already spoken my views on the themes explored in this movie and so I will conclude by saying that the film was well done. I wanted more fun however in the experience.

3 Stars