The Adjustment Bureau

We used to play a game in university that would entertain us until the wee hours of the morning. Whenever there was a lull in the conversation or a collective sense of boredom was achieved, somebody would throw out a crazy hypothetical.

"Would you rather be immersed in a bathtub full of live cockroaches or dive into a pool of tobacco spit." And with it, another round of "Would You Rather" was underway.

This game is endless fun for two main reasons (1) It can be adjusted to whatever level of appropriateness you desire. For children it could be…Would you rather have a superpower or have Christmas never end? Ours always seemed to be a choice between two of the most disgusting situations imaginable.

And this brings me to the second reason why this game is so much fun: (2) You have to choose one of the options. You don't get to say "Those are gross! I'm not doing either." As soon as that is an option, the whole point to the game is lost. You have to make a difficult, if nauseating, choice.

After watching The Adjustment Bureau, I feel like writer/director George Nolfi ether never played "Would You Rather" in college or if he did, he cheated.

The Adjustment Bureau is an adaptation of The Phillip K. Dick short story "The Adjustment Team". Dick's short stories have served as the base for other sci-fi thrillers like Blade Runner (1982), Total Recall (1990) and Minority Report (2002). This movie, like its predecessors has a very Dickish feel to it. (Sorry but I don't know what the "Dickensian" equivalent is to Phillip K Dick)

It tells the story of young U.S Congressman David Norris (Matt Damon) on the eve of his first U.S. Senate election. Norris comes off as a typical movie protagonist politician: Bright, sincere, and likeable. Sadly though, not likable to win this time around. As he is in a hotel bathroom practicing his concession speech, he is shocked to see a beautiful young woman emerge from one of the stalls. This is Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt) who is hiding from hotel security after crashing a wedding in the hotel. Though their encounter is brief, there is clearly amazing chemistry between them and it ends with a passionate kiss.

Of course this was only supposed to be a one-time chance encounter. So when Harry Mitchell (Anthony Mackie), a fedora wearing guardian angel type falls asleep on the job and allows David to get on a bus he was never supposed to be on, trouble ensues. Elise is on that bus and when they meet up again, it becomes clear they are very close to falling madly in love with each other. It is now time for the Adjustment Bureau to launch into action.

David arrives at his work to find his coworkers in the boardroom in suspended animation getting their brains scanned by a man we know only as Richadson (Mad Men's John Slattery). A chase ensues and they reluctantly have to tell David what is going on. They are a team that ensures that everything happens according to the grand plan. When something happens to threaten the design of the plan, they step in and make sure things get back on track. Richardson explains that tiny things like a dropped cell phone call or somebody missing a flight because they can't find their keys could be chance but are more likely the work of the Adjustment Bureau. They tell David that Elise is not part of his plan and he is to forget about her and not tell anyone about what he knows.

Right here this movie sets up some really interesting material. There is no end to the debate on free will versus pre-destiny and David is right in the middle of that debate. Also, many people believe that everything happens for a reason and there are greater forces out there affecting our lives in ways we are not aware of. So right here the movie has me with an interesting set-up and a rich thematic canvas on which to paint.

Flash ahead to three years later and while taking that same bus as before, David again sees Elise walking down the street. He chases after her and explains that the reason he didn't call before because he lost her number. Not really a lie since Richardson burned the card with her number on it so David couldn't call. They go for lunch and we can see them falling in love all over again. Much to the chagrin of the Adjustment Bureau.

What follows next is a lot of cat and mouse games with the Bureau guys using their magic powers to try to keep David from being with Elise. But where it gets even more interesting is when they bring in someone higher up on the team, Thomson (Terrance Stamp) the one they call "The Hammer". Thompson tells Norris that his destiny is to become President and change the world in a positive way. Elise's destiny is to become a professional dancer and then a famous choreographer. But it they get together, neither of those destinies will come to be and she will wind up teaching dance to six year-olds for the rest of her life.

Now this is where I think the film is at its most gripping. They have brilliantly set up a scenario where the protagonist has to make a life defining choice. And something of a Sophie's choice at that. I give Nolphi along with Damon and Blunt full credit for making the chemistry between the characters feel very authentic. You love seeing them together on the screen and you can't help but want to see them together in the end.

So this is why the predicament is so tough for David Norris. Should he put his personal desires ahead of the positive change he can affect on the world stage? And does he have a right to take away her future without her ever knowing what the implications are? In short, he is engaging in the ultimate game of would you rather.

Would You Rather spend the rest of your life with your true love or you both enjoy the ultimate career success for the rest of your lives?

And this is the point where a flawlessly executed fantasy thriller completely falls apart for me. Without giving away the specific ending, it's safe to say Nolphi lets his character wriggle out of choosing one or the other. And in doing so, completely undoes the great work up until this point. I felt like we needed to see what choice he makes and if he is able to make peace with it. But he violated the key rule of would you rather by not making his guy stick to one and only one of those choices.

In fairness to Nolphi, I know that the ending was reshot after an early test screening. If they went with the Hollywood ending after the more difficult ending didn't play, that could explain the choice. Even still, it stands out to me a huge missed opportunity. This movie is well paced, fun, interesting and overall very enjoyable. It just comes completely unravelled in the third act.

So should you go see this movie? Well let me ask you this. Would you rather pay $12 to see a movie with an ending that stays true to its premise or pay $12 to see a fairly enjoyable movie that sells out big time to the Hollywood ending?

You have to decide.