The Adjustment Bureau (2011) Review
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2023
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I always liked this movie and thought it was under rated. I’m a jaded twice divorced man, and I found it to be a Romantic movie.
under rated....
Twice? You should have learned your lesson the first time...
@@DiogenesDworkinsonthe second divorce is an easier trap to fall into because she seems so much better than the first one. I've had two myself.
I watched this movie in the theater without even seeing a preview. I left the theater shaken. Huge walls and happenings kept me from being with the love of my life. Like the woman in the movie, she married someone else eventually. I left the theater wondering if I had done enough to be with her, and even though I believe I did, I couldnt shake that feeling for a long time. Not all movies can be looked at with logic and reasoning, sometimes a movie evokes that emotion in you, and those are the best movies IMO. I'm aware of its flaws and I dont think I could watch it again in fear of that feeling that I didnt do enough, but it still holds a place in my heart.
Many expressed similar or equivalent sentiments after seeing Donnie Darko, especially younger viewers (teens to 30s). It's the mark of a better film I would say that a viewer can experience some profound applicability.
@@mapesdhs597donnie darko and fear and loathing in las vegas were a rite of passage for me freshman year of HS. I was a bright, broken, and beginning to become a uh... troublemaker 😂 i had never had my noodle cooked like that before by a movie. It just felt so right yet so wrong.
You actually brought a tear to my eye with that tale. I almost lost the love of my life because everyone in my family said that I was too young, should focus on university, etc. Somehow, we clung to each other and are still together, incredibly happily, after 24 years.
Sincerely, I hope that you meet someone else who will fulfill your life. Life is too long to live without love.
know where you're coming from - will say no more
Fell in love with ms blunt in this film, great feel good film.
Should add "source code" to the list of underrated Sci fi
I’ve always thought that was a cool and interesting story and poignant as well.
I actually didn't like that movie as much as this one.
Such a great film. It came from a smaller studio too.
Decent movie very quantum leap and also has a voice cameo from Scott Bakula and he even says "oh boy" aswell.
I love the Adjustment Bureau. One of my favourite films. Just a classic sci fi movie made before Hollywood got really weird.
I’m so happy I read comments first bc I feel the same way. This movie was so original. What if this was actually a thing. Lol great movie and Emily Blunt is sexy as hell. Just her in it does it for me. Lol
"Got really weird" honestly what a way to put it 😂
hah, hah, LoL - you're discoverying the P.K. Dick eternal theme that permeates pretty much all his stories and novels
apparent reality is not the actual deeper reality
I must say I like the idea of the main antagonists in a film like this genuinely believing they are doing the right thing. He is not fighting a shadowy organisation that wants to exploit us, but one that genuinely wants to help and thinks this is the best way to do it. For me that adds a layer to the conflict that an actual evil antagonist would remove by inviting us to question if our heroes are doing the right thing..
It was a simple romance story in a science fiction fantasy framework. The chemistry between Damon and Blunt is genuine and you're rooting for them. There really was no need to explain the motivations of The Chairman or introduce theological good v evil; it wasn't that kind of movie. It didn't talk down or seem unnecessarily complex. It didn't need more explanation than it provided; it was self contained. It is happy popcorn fare and nothing more. Sometimes that's all anyone really wants to be happy.
I think the ending is satisfying and the only conclusion the film could take. With it being a love story first, sci-fi second, the film knows the audience it's aiming at just wants an easy watch with some fantastical elements. We all know what happens when a film takes a simple concept and then digs deeper into its philosophical themes, the Matrix sequels are a prime example confusing the hell out of its audience who are still dumbfounded now.
I gave you the 👍 for the simple reason that the lack of 👍 you'd received demonstrated your point.
yip, it's a higher brow Hallmark romance story - back stopped by the coolness factor of being based on a P.K. Dick story
Anything with Emily Blunt in gets my vote. Seems like Dave has the same opinion!
Well, except Gulliver's Travel's. Seriously, what was Emily thinking with that one?
She is an amazing actress and really hot.
Yep. Can watch that woman doing whatever movie She does and im invested, even her early very British rom comedies
@@osmanyousif7849She was bound by contract (to Fox?) to do another film so did GT to get rid of the obligation. She alluded to this in a YT clip (don't recall which)
I can't deny that last 20 minutes is pretty awesome and has some Inception feel to it, ( and yes Inception I know came out the year prior). I really enjoyed this one can't deny Damon and Blunt's chemistry. Makes sense that they are buddies in real life.
Well explained and entertaining review. I do like this film - the chemistry between Blunt and Damon is really believable. I forgive the ending - I wanted them to end up together.
The Adjustment Bureau is another underrated gem in the sci-fi genre with religious undertones and it also tells us that the only one who can shape their destiny is yourself and that free will is something worth fighting for.
So you got the intended message.😁👍
It just great to see a good love story of any kind between a real man and a real woman and not the girl-boss garbage we are getting now.
Jason bourne was weak here
This is one of my favorites, felt it was forgotten and unappreciated, I'm glad it's getting some attention
A really good book by one of my favourite authors. This is a good film interpretation
I enjoyed this movie years ago,but I agree that it needed more of a counterweight to the Bureau, sort of like what happens n Babylon 5, with two powerful entities battling for control over Man’s destiny. It also reminded me of Dark City in a similar vein.
I think if they made the hat men bad then it makes the choice to both Damon and the audience more simple. Which is more important? Success or love? With the hat men not being strictly cliche villains, it allows wiggle room. So Damon can reflect on his decisions on what he wants. So while the movie deals with the concept of "illusion of free will / choice" it actually does allow Damon still the ability to choose and act. And the audience is left with some nuance and some food for thought. Rather than the simplistic "good guys vs bad guys" the movie allows one to explore the question, whats more important in life? the path to success or the rocky uncertain path of love? I dunno, I tried my best to explain. I did type a similar comment and it got eaten somehow by this site. Anyway, good vid, Dave!
Love Adjustment Bureau. Other overlooked 'recent' (2010s)sci-fi include Monsters, The Darkest Hour, Robot & Frank, Colossal, and Automata.
Along with Moon, Monsters is a modern classic.
Monsters is boring af
@@cympimpin20 you're welcome
Dave: "I know I'd choose love over career"
Also Dave: "Love conquers all is cliche"
The reason the film doesn't have the elements you list at the end is simply because it's predominately a romantic movie. The storyline is subservient to the romance of not giving up on true love. It's not a hard sci fi movie, it's probably more a date movie. Limitless is a different kind of film, it's more mainstream - that's pre-MCU mainstream - designed at a wider audience. It also has heavier hitters in it, because as much as I like Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, Bradley Cooper and DeNiro were bigger box office draws. It was also a more stylish movie. Personally I watched both, and enjoyed both.
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie but i thought it was more like an extended episode of the Twilight Zone or Outer Limits.
Or maybe Quantum Leap. "Putting Right" things that had gone wrong. Or, in this situation, keeping things going "wrong" by blocking the hero doing what is "right" although what is right and wrong is very much subjective to the protagonist
I like the Quantum Leap thought, since Al was trying to get back to his first wife gets to me every time. That dance!🥲
The Adjustment Bureau: Some people wear magic hats and open doors to teleport from one place to another.
I watched this movie a long time ago, and i remember really liking it.
I don't know if you've reviewed it already, but John Carter is a VERY underrated movie in the Scifi/fantasy category. I got botched by Disney due to bad marketing though, so it bombed epically in the box office. But since then people have discovered it and really liked it.
I'd like to hear your take on it.
Thomas Newman is the cousin of Randy Newman, the "You've Got a Friend in Me" guy who did the music for _Toy Story._ Thomas Newman's theme for _Road to Perdition_ is one of my favorites. _Road to Perdition_ is also a great movie with Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, and Daniel Craig.
I watched this movie for the first time. It was okay, but to me the alternate conclusions on both sides (if they got together or if they were to stay apart) was not strong enough. The stakes should have been more higher, or more defined for each. Then it would have allowed the audience a greater choice as to which timeline would be better in the long run.
As in the concept of the movie, the choice to decide whether or not the two should be together for the overall greater good was taken from us.
I love the stills. Its a very effective way of assisting the narrative.
The Adjust Bureau agents are reminiscent of the Observers from Fringe, down to the fedoras.
Hail Dave. I've always been fond of this film, interesting that you compared it to Limitless, as I remember seeing them both around the same time. I think you summed it up nicely, but honestly I couldn't see another way to end the film that would have been tonally consistent. It's a feel good movie - although it touches on some grand themes, particularly that God has a plan for us all, whether we accept it or not.
Many thanks, a great way of looking at it.
I'm 10 seconds into this, and cos I like Dave Cullen, I'm not gonna watch this video, and instead watch the film, I'll be back though...
I really enjoy this movie, it is the epitome of an under rated movie. But I do like the idea that there would be an opposing force to the men in hats, an evil one led by the devil (would be a little like Quantum Leap where we find out that while Sam is jumping around trying to put right what once went wrong, there was another jumper, an evil one, trying to f**k stuff up) and maybe you couldn't tell which was which leading to a Matt Damon's character perhaps working with team evil and not realising.
The Adjustment Bureau reminded me of the show Fringe and the season with the “observers” who did basically the same thing. I thoroughly enjoyed both Fringe and the Adjustment Bureau
Adjustment bureau is a letdown because happiness is the goal . Limitless is awesome because the career is the goal.🎉 Happiness is the ⛽ in the 🚗. Not The 🚗
Feels like the Adjustment Bureau has stepped back again the way things are going in the world.
Agree they need to take the reins again, before we get into a nuclear war over Ukraine. They mention the Cuban Missile Crisis in the movie but what we have now is so much more dangerous.
There is a similar film with more sinister and dark intentions: "Dark City". As ever, good movie recommendations, Dave!
I really liked this movie when I saw it a few years ago. Blunt and Damon had great chemistry. Hat guy actors nailed it too. I liked the hat guys being mostly good. That is what made Damon's choice so hard. I was glad for the happy ending.
Speaking of "Predestination" ... strongly recommend giving that movie a watch / and review. I think its pretty dang good. But yeah, Adjustment Bureau is a fine gem, like many others you listed. I rather enjoy the loose application of quantum mechanics to the expected outcome of the characters lives in AB
Limitless the movie was pretty damn good and I really liked it. But Limitless the TV series was a billion times better and I was pretty pissed off we only got one season of it and that was it. Each episode was better than the last and I thought wow finally something good to watch and of course anytime I get interested in anything it gets canceled just like the peripheral on Amazon just got cancelled
I always took Mackie's character to be the chairman. Incognito, even to the rest of the bureau.
me too
@@BarbarellaAlpha agreed
The description reminded me of Poul Anderson's *Time Patrol*, where agents work against other interstellar factions to keep the timeline on track (the question is always "who decides which track is best?"). I just looked to see if one fed off the other. Dick's story came out in the fall of 1954. Anderson's first Time Patrol came out the next year. Very possible.
Delenda Est, where Carthage wins the 2nd Punic War, is my favorite.
I liked it. It was very different. I also respect Emily and enjoy her work.
This movie reminded me so much of the final season of Fringe, and the evil Observers, who came from a future earth, although they are much more evil the SIMILARITIES are still there!
My gf & I both enjoyed The Adjustment Bureau, indeed a worthy watch, but we both enjoyed Limitless more, which holds up very well on a rewatch, as do other rather complex films such as Memento and Donnie Darko.
Btw, although I guess not scifi, another film we unexpectedly liked was The Accountant, with Ben Affleck; an interesting role for him, in which he is quite unlike most of his other film roles.
You hit the nail on the head. There absolutely should’ve been a malevolent or evil bureau. That would’ve made the analogy more complete and certainly would’ve made for a more interesting story. Regardless though, I’ve always liked it. And maybe that feel good vibe was a more important aspect than we’re giving it credit for.
the Adjustment Bureau reminded me of the *Observers* from Fringe TV series.
Reminds me of Dark City in some broad strokes.
Dark City, which came out in 1999 had a similar storyline too!
"but you're out, Cypher. You can't go back"
Wow! Finally 😊
I only very slightly disagree with you on this one Dave.
I really enjoyed this movie just as much as the others you mentioned. As always, thanks for the reviews. 🖖😁
Always wanted to catch this film but never found the time. Thanks for a reminder, Mr. Cullen ^^
Limitless is a film that I rarely think about but when I do I'm always up for watching it.
My absolute favorite movie of all time!!
I’ll need to check it out at some point
The Forgotten might be a good one for a double feature with it. I like watching Source Code with Limitless.
One of my fave movies. Keep in mind that's a long list. I'd love to hear you opinion on Will Ferral's "Stranger Than Fiction" (2006) As always, I'll be looking forward to any reviews. You've guided me to some winners and for that I say thank you!
I LOVE ‘Stranger Than Fiction’, the parts where Dustin is asking Will questions to narrow down ‘the genre’ cracks me up every time. Also Will urging Emma to finish the story as written, ‘it works best that way’😢
It looks interesting, but Farrell....is he annoying in it? I'm not a fan and I don't want to roll my eyes whenever he's on screen
@@ninjanibba4259 LOL, not really a Farrell fan by any means either and that was why I hesitated in watching the movie when it was released. Don't let that keep you from watching it, its pretty great.
Dusty teamed up with Emma Thompson a couple years later after Stranger than Fiction to make 'Last Chance Harvey' - its not sci-fi but a grown up romantic comedy of sorts, HIGHLY recommend that as well. IMO, one of Dusty's best performances (there's a speech/toast in the movie which he supposedly improvised in one take - its a great scene).
@ninjanibba4259 it's not his usual role. He's much more toned down and believable but still takes advantage of comedic timing.
The Mandela Effect 2019
Dave, Thank you. I bought the Blu-ray of The Adjustment Bureau and I just finished watching it. I Love this movie. I had never heard of it until I watched your video. I don't know how I missed it back in the day, but I'm glad to have seen it now. Great movie!!😃
Always liked this one. As with Passengers, the relatively safe fusion of sci-fi with romance makes it a great film for couples to watch.
This is more of a romance than a SciFi but it's a great movie. I love the scene when Emily Blunt's character says are you looking at my legs. There are a lot of good scenes in this movie, I particularly like the one where David Norris comes clean about his shoes, it's such a wishful thinking moment that more politicians would have this kind of honesty.
In 1974's The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Mr. Blue, Mr. Green, Mr. Grey, and Mr. Brown wear corresponding colored hats similar to agents of the Adjustment Bureau. Never been able to find out if this is an homage or purely coincidental costuming choice.
Yeah, I too found that the ending was... 🤔 a little... too 'Quick' and 'Convenient'? But overall... I loved this movie. And Slattery's role was a good one (liked his character in 'Mad Men' too 👍). Emily Blunt, yeah, she's an easily lovable 'English Rose', and Matt Damon, well, he plays some great parts...
😎🇬🇧
very nice explanation. i am okay with the ending but one thing you have missed which is the chemistry between matt and emily. Which was so pure and decent that everyone enjoyed with. And whenever emily came to the screen her presence made the movie more colorful and enjoyable. That's the main thing audience loved about the film i guess.
I caught this at the cinema and had forgotten all about it until now, like you say it’s the equivalent of easy listening, talking of lobotomy’s though, that same year I watched Sucker punch a complete mess of a film😊
Sucker Punch confuses so many people, because the meaning of it is hidden. The true meaning of it is MKULTRA.
Once one knows the symbolism of it they can see it littered throughout Sucker Punch. Seriously. Especially when Babydoll goes into "decompartmentalize mode" - when she does her solo dances and the film shifts into the "action sequences". That is part of the MK programming. As with the multiple personalities, the other girls with Babydoll are different personas of her training.
The film reveals itself when one delves into the MKULTRA program, one will see all the signs and concepts in the movie make complete sense and it is kind of sneaky.
It’s true there seems to be spirits around us. If we’re on the right path, everything see to flow nicely like magic or luck. If we’re on the wrong path everything seems to fail, one of those days you just need to go back to bed.
Saw it, and purchased it on Bluray. Good review, very well presented.
It reminded me slightly of a Twilight Zone episode, where between every microsecond was a crew of beings creating reality.
Love me some classic Twilight Zone
This movies always reminds me of the observers in the TV show fringe.
I received this movie as a wedding gift and was the first movie my bride and I watched together after tying the knot. I think the love conquers all is kinda over done, but it was perfect for the occasion.
I remember enjoying the film and then i promptly forgot about it.
Nobody remember Shohreh Aghdashloo for Star Trek... She is best known for her role of Chrisjen Avasarala on The Expanse TV series...
A lot of films these days are what i call one watches, you get the film in the first sitting and then it is boring to watch again, This film i have watched a few times over the years and it never gets boring, well worth a watch if you haven`t seen it
Great video Dave! Definitely going to do a rewatch!
I thought the ending message by Harry strengthened the love trumps all on top of the roof.
When I watched it my first thought was this was the happy version of 'Dark city'
It's such a charming movie, I have a physical copy and I love it!
I still hate the fact that the Limitless TV series was canceled.
One of my favorite movies. Had such a unique plot.
Enjoyed your take/review. When I watched this years ago I was more enveloped by musings and sorrows of my own lost loves and how that unfolded in my own life. I found that experience quite acute. I enjoyed your illumination of the free will questions in this movie.
Great list of underrated sci fi films. All well scripted, acted and story is very solid. I just watched Edge of Tomorrow not long ago. Introduced it to my girlfriend at the time and she enjoyed it. Passengers is just a great man out water fish in a barrel type story that keeps you captivated the whole time. Experiencing it all with both Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. Moon was why I can say Sam Rockwell is a complete sleeper to cast. He’s good in most of his catalog even Iron Man 2. Adjustment Bureau is always a film I can come back to every couple years and feel like it’s the first time watching. Anthony Mackie and Matt keep it light and campy. While a bigger story is being set up.
The malevolent intent is present. And the world remains upon its fixed course.
I enjoyed the movie overall. While hindsight is 20/20 and I can see what you mean by the ending being a little weak, I think it works for this movie. There needed to be a happy ending. And I'm OK with the Bureau being mostly benevolent. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a choice of free will (there was technically no "wrong" choice), it would have become good versus evil. So it would have changed the entire tone of the movie. Instead, it was a thrilling sci-fi romp with a happy ending. There aren't enough of those these days.
I really enjoyed it, watched it last night for the second time. I had watched around the time it premiered so I completely forgot plot details but I can see where you can be disappointed with the ending, leaves you scratching your head a bit
Moon was fantastic. A librarian recommended it to me. She was kinda hot too, which didn’t hurt. 😊
😊
I just watched that last night. Awesome.
The Plan. White Hats. Number he was thinking of: 17. Port: 17. Wasn't there another 17 reference?
Good review.
I enjoyed this film quite a bit. I was first exposed to it - get this - in church, where the pastor did a series on it over 3 weeks. It intrigued me and I watched it with my wife. I thought the story was good, but the end was weak (as you stated), but I wouldn't expect much less than a really good story from from Philip K. Dick. I think about what I may be doing each and every time I turn a doorknob.
I have this one on DVD or Blu-Ray, so I will have to go back and watch it again.
Thanks for the reminder.
I feel exactly like you do about this movie. Good, but kind of weak. I think making the Bureau malevolent would have been worse though. It would have been too cliche. Making them more or less likeable at least forces you to wrestle with the idea that dictators can be nice people even when pushing a bad system (see Woodrow Wilson or FDR for example).
Considering how the world is, I have this to say to the adjustment bureau:
^*^* ^*^ !!!
I like to think the chairman simply got sick of expending resources on two people who seem determined to follow their heart rather than their head. That, or some people are capable of true free will without letting it corrupt them, giving hope for humanity.
Free will is an illusion, a concept best explored by the game legacy of kain blood omen/ soul reaver. An excellent story played by a top tier voice cast 👏
Maybe The Adjustment Bureau could do with a (perhaps darker part 2) sequel, introducing that rival organization concept you suggested..?
I didn't remember I'd seen this until the premise was described. The fact that I didn't remember tells me that it wasn't particularly special. Certainly more could have been done with the idea. I was thinking it was going to be something like if he doesn't become President then something really bad happens. Or that the President aspect was a red herring and somehow her being a dance choreographer was the important part. It's really just a romance movie with an odd sci-fi twist, and it has all the usual beats: unusual meeting, instant attraction, an accident keeps them apart, they keep meeting, someone forbids them seeing each other, love wins out in the end. It would have been a better movie if they had stretched the formula further, or just gone off the beaten track.
Here's a twist for the end - this was the plan all along. In order to be a great president, he had be driven and backed by the love of his life. The defector agent tipping him off was part of the plan. In essence, even the head agents were unaware of the plan. Left unanswered is whether or not his decision changed the plan, or what would have happened had he changed his mind.
Taking chances on movies yields less favorable results as of late. I stumbled upon this and was pleasantly rewarded, but then the source material was created by a writer who's works have provided many successful movies. It feels like an indie movie with a comfortable cast based on some thoughtful concept.
I enjoyed this film at the time, I think I'm due a rewatch.
High concept scifi ideas need more than one viewing
Thank you for the reminder, I love your thought process on this.
I can't see or hear Matt Damon's name without thinking of 'Team America: World Police'. 😆
It's amazing. I've read most of the Dick stories which have been turned into films. The stories are nowhere near as good as the films made from them, and the films are generally outstanding. This was an excellent film, very well done. Good script, good cast. And I worship Thomas Newman.
I think The Adjustment Bureau can best be compared with the 1998 film Dark City.
I like that the antagonists in the bureau were more ambivalent, less of a cliche villainous organization, however the ending was poor, in my view, because the protagonist did not really win.
His desire to be with his love was granted to him and could be easily revoked in the next revision of "The Plan." He will forever be haunted by the shadow of the Bureau. Maybe they did not select his brand of tooth paste but did they orchestrate the death of a friend, family member, or cause that car accident that ruined so many lives? Every potential tragedy will forever be followed by the question, "Did the Bureau cause this?" And, most probably, the answer will be yes.
That assumes you trust what they told him. My guess is that talking to him like that was the outcome closest to bringing the plan to fruition, and they came to the conclusion that trying to lobotomize him would only derail their plans more. I mean once they talk to him like that, he won't be actively fighting them anymore. Just a good time to slip back into the shadows and be more careful.
What a great film..no in-your-face, woke nonsense.
I'm inclined to agree with that conclusion. It was good, but not great and it was missing a few things that could have got it there. Of course, I feel a bit more for this movie because it's where I fell in love with Emily Blunt, but it was still good on its own too.
I love this film. Other great ones IMO are Dark City, The Thirteenth Floor and of course Inception.
Thanks Dave
I saw the movie when it came out and had the same thoughts about the film as a whole as well as it failing to stick the landing. Kind of seemed like a sunny version of Dark City, which is an all time classic.