Director: George Nolfi
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt and Anthony Mackie
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have achieved recognition of Matt Damon. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Damon has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, gifted janitors or troubled soldiers, Damon has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Damon’s finest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those actors that has always had talent for stealing the show in supporting roles which have limited screen-time. Even when he isn’t a main focus of a movie, Damon has always left a lasting impression. Through his capability to portray characters that are engaging, Damon has built a legacy that’s lasting. Although he is best known for his iconic role as Bourne in the spy franchise, Damon has proven that he can make engaging movies in every single genre. Throughout his enduring career, Damon has made several unforgettable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a big fan of Damon and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “The Adjustment Bureau” is my absolute favourite. Released in 2011, George Nolfi’s film offered a powerful depiction of spies facing adversities. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best espionage films ever made. At a centre of it all is a terrific performance by Matt Damon, who embodies a spy that strives to succeed in an organization. Ultimately, what makes “The Adjustment Bureau” a classic is its commemorated appeal. Unlike most movies about spies, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about an adjustment organization, there are many valid reasons why “The Adjustment Bureau” is a film worth watching.
“The Adjustment Bureau” tells the story about a spy facing sorrow. Matt Damon plays David Norris, a double agent that seeks to fight for his own destiny. David is a skilled agent that has always had a talent for managing affairs without facing tension. However, David’s life drastically changes when he falls in love in a doomed relationship causing disaster. Elise (Emily Blunt) is a bright woman with a dream of creating a joyful future with a man that she loves dearly. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, David questions whether it is possible to have a bright future. Faced with sorrow, David questions if it’s possible to live in an adjustment bureau.
George Nolfi has always been fascinated with the stories of spies. A fantastic screenwriter, Nolfi has often made engaging movies about spies facing disaster. With “The Adjustment Bureau”, however, Nolfi created his first crime thriller. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of spies facing adversity, but he succeeded tremendously. Using gorgeous cinematography, Nolfi captures an agent that embarks on a journey to find identity. Inspired with Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest”, Nolfi successfully uses point of view shots to capture hardship that is experienced by a spy. For instance, POV shots enhance the runaway scene. During this unforgettable scene, David embarks on a journey to run away from spies authorities. Using captivating POV shots, Nolfi creates a portrait of spies that is compelling. POV shots are tricky techniques to use in films. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” proved, POV shots enhance movies about undercover cops. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Using stunning visuals, Nolfi captures tensions spies are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Adjustment Bureau” that deserves absolute appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Emulating Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Eleven”, Nofi expertly uses cross-cutting to capture tensions which spies are enduring. For instance, cross-cutting enhances adjustment agencies scene. During this unforgettable scene, David embarks on an intense journey to find the adjustment bureau agency. Using bold cross-cutting, Soderbergh creates a portrait of espionage that proves to be compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Thomas Newman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that spies bear. Through stunning production, Nolfi captures the lives of spies seeking to run an organization.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Adjustment Bureau” is a film about spies that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture tension spies in adjustment agencies are often facing. For instance, the silence elevates the farewell scene. During this unforgettable scene, David bids an emotional farewell to Elise after she is caught by her organization. Using sequences of silence, Nolfi creates a portrait of spies that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is often a complicated technique to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” claimed, silence enhances biopics about world-famous inventors. Anthony Minghella’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley” suggested that silence enhances films about con-artists. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through an excellent screenplay, Nolfi captures adjustment spies facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Matt Damon delivers one of his best career performances as David Norris. Damon first earned appreciation for playing con-artists in crime dramas. With “The Adjustment Bureau”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a spy that seeking to run away from his agency but he succeeds. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most complex role. Damon has often thrived playing emotional heroes that face pressure, and “The Adjustment Bureau” showcased his strengths as an actor. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated actors that is working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Matt Damon, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of praise. Emily Blunt is excellent, bringing bravery towards a woman seeking to escape her espionage agency. John Slattery is spectacular, bringing an air of mystery toward a spy that endures adversity. Lastly, Anthony Mackie is worthy of appreciation. As a commemorated CIa agent, he brings intelligence to the movie.
Finally, “The Adjustment Bureau” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing an adjustment agency. Unlike most films about spies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes of identity, mental health and suspicion that will resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of spies to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about trust that would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Adjustment Bureau” is one of those rare commemorated spy films everyone would adore.
Fans of Matt Damon would absolutely enjoy “The Adjustment Bureau” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular espionage thriller, it celebrates a legendary actor.
Nearly 14 years following the release of a groundbreaking crime film about spies seeking to run away from an adjustment organization, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor with strong dedication towards his craft that has manufactured unforgettable movies which are absolutely worthy of appreciation.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 