Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Terrence Stamp, Anthony Mackie
Rated: PG-13 for brief strong language, some sexuality, and a violent image.
William Henley's poem "Invictus" praises whatever gods are responsible for "his unconquerable soul" which is broken but unbowed. Man, by sheer will, fights against the forces at work, his defiance driving him on. It’s similar to the character played by Matt Damon in the film The Adjustment Bureau, where Damon’s character must fight off the powers of The Chairman (or god) who has planned the world’s path and intends to keep on track. While the premise is terrific, the execution falls short, and the philosophy of the film is just plain troubling.
The story attempt to flow from David Norris’ (Matt Damon) inner struggle between choosing to a life with the girl he’s infatuated with (Emily Blunt) or following the puny deity’s “plan” for Norris and Elise’s careers. This back-and-forth inner turmoil is literally the entire plot of the film, giving the film a bipolar feel as we follow Norris’ ever changing mind with little action, twists, or plot points to cause thought or reflection.
More troubling is the view of the neutered deity who is subject to chance and whose plan apparently has no rhyme or reason. We’re never really told why they can’t be together or what the plan will eventually bring about. Instead of a strong deity whom loves humanity and has a sovereign plan for eternal redemption (as in Job 38), the deity falls for the unrequited passion of finite man who foolishly believes that the desires of his heart will be filled by a woman he met three years prior. A god should see the bigger picture than that.
While the best movies communicate their philosophies through story, The Adjustment Bureau almost skips the form altogether and gives you straight philosophy. Unfortunately, its as weak as the deity it portrays.
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