A Fine Thriller

In the beginning of George Nolfi’s “The Adjustment Bureau,” David Norris (Matt Damon), a young, charismatic politician, loses his U.S. Senate bid but meets the girl of his dreams, dancer Elise (Emily Blunt).

   Unhappily for the couple, the agents of the Adjustment Bureau have orders to prevent the two from getting together, as it is contrary to the plan of the mysterious “Chairman.”

The adjusters tend toward 1960s-style three-button suits with side vents and narrow lapels, and have cornered the market on stingy brim fedoras — think “Mad Men in Black.”

   And they don’t have a lot of luck in keeping David and Elise apart.

The film is based on a Philip K. Dick story and director/screenwriter Nolfi wisely doesn’t spend too much time trying to explain the inner workings of the Adjustment Bureau, concentrating on their extraordinary powers, including the ability to zip around New York City by going through certain doors, while wearing their hats. So a door in an office building opens into the outfield at Yankee Stadium, which in turn leads to the Statue of Liberty.

They can also freeze everybody in place while they make some minute adjustments.

   So what the film boils down to is a mix of science fiction, a romantic thriller, and a lot of pretty slick chase scenes.

   The chemistry between David and Elise provides the movie’s color and spark. They stand out sharply from the visual tone, which is filmed in that flourescent hyper-real look I think of as “Hallucination Blue.”

   The story itself gets close to terminal silliness, but because the chase aspect is emphasized the movie’s tempo doesn’t falter.

   Adjuster Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie), having failed to keep the couple apart, winds up helping them out (and offering some vague insight into who the adjusters — and The Chairman — really are). He is the only other real character in the film — a modern version of the wannabe angel Clarence in “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

   And for people who insist on a neatly-wrapped package, it turns out that even The Chairman’s plan can be rewritten in the face of true love.

   The screenplay contains some amusing riffs on contemporary media-driven politics — Norris makes a concession speech in which he reveals that everything about him, right down to the necktie, is the product of focus group testing. And the effects aren’t overdone — especially the surreal action with the magical doors. It’s easy for the viewer to simply accept the rules of this particular version of reality and concentrate on getting the lovebirds together.

   In short, “The Ajustment Bureau” is a nice, tight, unpretentious and interesting thriller. There’s nothing in it that’s unsuitable for teens, and it avoids the usual sci-fi and thriller conventions (endless clacking of guns in assembly, gratuitous violence, brainless profanity, and a mind-numbing soundtrack). A good, solid job all around.

And great suits on the adjusters.

  “The Adjustment Bureau” is playing at The Moviehouse in Millerton, NY. It is rated PG-13.
 

Latest News

Water main cleaning in North Canaan

NORTH CANAAN – Aquarion Water Company today announced a water main cleaning project in the company’s North Canaan system. The project is scheduled to take place from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 16, and is being undertaken to ensure customers in North Canaan continue to receive the highest quality water.

The cleaning for April 1 and April 4 (subject to change) will take place on the following streets:

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cabaret comes to St. Andrew's in Kent

George Potts

Photo provided

Music in the Nave will again tap into local talent April 6 at 7 p.m. when its features George Potts in an intimate cabaret concert in the St. Andrew’s Church parish house.

Pott is a well-known figure in the community, both through his presence in the perennially popular Fife ‘n Drum, the restaurant started by his father-in-law, renowned pianist Dolph Trayman, and through his own career as a folk musician.

Keep ReadingShow less