Director: George Nolfi
Stars: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie
Studio: Universal Pictures
The Adjustment Bureau is a love story with a twist. Telegenic, driven young politician meets beautiful ballerina, sparks fly. Then a mysterious entity conspires to keep the lovers (OK, at that point, they are not lovers) apart, end of story. Hollywood likes to revisit this particular theme of people meeting and being wildly attracted to each other, and not just smitten, mind you, but convinced that they are destined to be together. And, really, how realistic is that? Fortunately, the eminently watchable Matt Damon and a smoldering performance from Anthony Mackie keep the film from devolving into sappy sentimentality. The film gives a nod to existentialism, but at its heart it’s the age-old boy-meets-girl love story. –p.d. lee
