By Charly SHELTON

Have you ever felt as though something was just meant to happen?  Like no matter what you do, it is going to happen. As though some force is causing things, either good or bad, to happen to you and direct your life in a certain way. This is the job of The Adjustment Bureau. When your life deviates from “The Plan,” they are there to nudge us back on track. We have the illusion of free will, but they are actually directing us on a set path according to “The Plan,” set down by “The Chairman.” But what happens when you don’t agree with the plan set for you?

David Norris (Matt Damon) is a young politician, a hopeful for a Senate seat for New York State. When he meets a mystery woman (Emily Blunt) who gives him advice that changes his career, it is part of the plan. But David and the woman, Elise, fell in love. They felt, even though they only met briefly, that they were supposed to be together. But that wasn’t the plan. So the Adjustment Bureau intervened and kept them apart for three years, only to meet again by chance. But this time, David had accidentally stumbled upon the existence of the Adjustment Bureau, and, being wise to their tricks, he was not about to let Elsie get away again. They had to be together, despite the plan. But the Bureau will do whatever it takes to nudge them, push them, shove them, even force them back onto their course.

Matt Damon is never going to play anyone but himself. He has been the same character in everything he has ever done.  He is Jason Bourne in a suit, or he is David Norris is a turtleneck. The characters are interchangeable.  And even he couldn’t ruin this movie. The idea is clever.  Not exactly novel, but clever enough to be a fun ride. Based on a short story by Philip K. Dick, The Adjustment Team, this movie is worth seeing because the journey from point A to B is a fun ride. And compared to all the dreck at the cinemas right now, you could do a lot worse. The ending is weak, though, so don’t hold your breath for an epic climax.  It never comes.  I don’t want to say “Deus Ex Machina,” but it is “Deus Ex …..something.”

Not a bad little picture, but nothing whatsoever to write home about.  Rated R, I give this movie 2 ½ out of 5 stars.

  Movies, the adjustment bureau