Adjustment Bureau

Theatrical Release Date: 2011 03 04 (USA)

UPC: 025192060571

Studio: Universal Studios

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Mild Violence, Profanity, Sexual Situations]

Summary: The budding romance between a rising U.S. congressman and a gifted ballet dancer is unexpectedly complicated by otherworldly forces seeking to drive them apart by altering the very fabric of reality in this high-concept sci-fi thriller based on a story by famed author Philip K. Dick. David Norris (Matt Damon) is a rising New York congressmen whose everyman charisma has earned him a loyal following among locals. One night, after suffering a crushing political defeat, David is rehearsing his concession speech in a hotel bathroom when out of a stall wanders Elise (Emily Blunt), who was hiding out from security guards after crashing a wedding. The chemistry between David and Elise is instant and electric. But as fast as she appeared, Elise has vanished, leaving David to wonder if he will ever see her again. A few days later, as if by chance, David is boarding a bus for work when he spots Elise in a window seat. Though he manages to get her number this time, David is terrified when he arrives at his new job and discovers a mysterious group of men performing an unusual procedure on his paralyzed co-workers. Informed by the imposing and sharp-dressed Richardson (John Slattery) that he has just seen behind a curtain that few will ever know even exists, David agrees never to tell anyone of their encounter or talk to Elise again lest his entire memory be completely erased. But three years later, when David spots Elise walking down the street from the window of a city bus, he can't resist the urge to rekindle their romance. Unfortunately for the two young lovers, the mysterious agents at the Adjustment Bureau are determined to keep them apart at all costs in order to ensure there is no deviation from the master plan drawn up by "The Chairman" for the future of all humankind. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Science Fiction

Features: Deleted and extended scenes
Leaping through New York
Destined to Be
Becoming Elise
Feature commentary with writer/director George Nolfi

Adjustment Bureau

Format: Digital Video Disc (DVD)

Release Date: 06/21/2011

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1, DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 106 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French,Spanish

Subtitles: French,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- The Adjustment Bureau
1. Chapter 1 [6:37]
2. Chapter 2 [7:39]
3. Chapter 3 [6:40]
4. Chapter 4 [7:36]
5. Chapter 5 [2:35]
6. Chapter 6 [4:10]
7. Chapter 7 [3:36]
8. Chapter 8 [4:07]
9. Chapter 9 [8:27]
10. Chapter 10 [6:57]
11. Chapter 11 [2:17]
12. Chapter 12 [1:23]
13. Chapter 13 [5:16]
14. Chapter 14 [4:28]
15. Chapter 15 [2:12]
16. Chapter 16 [5:34]
17. Chapter 17 [4:23]
18. Chapter 18 [5:48]
19. Chapter 19 [5:53]
20. Chapter 20 [3:00]

Jason Buchanan

In his feature directorial debut, The Adjustment Bureau, screenwriter George Nolfi (Ocean's Twelve, The Bourne Ultimatum) may well have discovered the formula for the perfect date movie. By striking a particularly skillful balance between heart-fluttering romance and heady sci-fi thrills, this mind-bending tale of forbidden love in a world devoid of true freedom offers something genuinely engaging for men and women alike, and blankets it all with a sugary sprinkle of self-conscious humor that perfectly offsets the heavier themes of fate versus free will. David Norris (Matt Damon) is a rising New York congressmen whose everyman charisma has earned him a loyal following among locals. One night, after suffering a crushing political defeat, David is rehearsing his concession speech in a hotel bathroom when out of a stall wanders Elise (Emily Blunt), who was hiding out from security guards after crashing a wedding. The chemistry between David and Elise is instant and electric. But as fast as she appeared, Elise vanishes, leaving David to wonder if he will ever see her again. A few days later, as if by chance, David is boarding a bus for work when he spots Elise in a window seat. Though he manages to get her number this time, David is terrified when he arrives at his new job and discovers a mysterious group of men performing an unusual procedure on his paralyzed co-workers. Informed by the imposing and sharp-dressed Richardson (John Slattery) that he has just seen behind a curtain that few will ever know even exists, David agrees never to tell anyone of their encounter or talk to Elise again lest his entire memory be completely erased. Three years later, though, when David spots Elise from the window of a city bus as she walks down the street, he can't resist the urge to rekindle their romance. Unfortunately for the two young lovers, however, the mysterious agents at the Adjustment Bureau are determined to keep them apart at all costs in order to ensure there is no deviation from the master plan drawn up by "The Chairman" for the future of all humankind. Starting out firmly rooted in reality, then gradually introducing the more fantastical elements as the plot picks up the pace, The Adjustment Bureau draws us in with the chemistry of its two capable leads, then lets us root for them as otherworldly forces endeavor with all of their might to drive them apart. The more that charm gives way to menace, the more Nolfi's screenplay begins utilizing a tantalizing series of vague clues to let us know whom the Adjustment Bureau serves, and how they operate. From the mysterious books carried by the agents to the stylish hats that adorn their crowns, Nolfi continually drops subtle hints to prime our imagination as the stakes grow increasingly higher. The key scene early in the film that finds David Norris mistakenly catching a glimpse of the Adjustment Bureau hard at work offers a highly effective blend of humor and creepiness, culminating in a confrontation that reveals just enough about the organization's mysterious motivations to set the main plot into motion. Once that happens, the action shifts into high gear and only pauses to let us know precisely what's at risk should Norris resist his orders from a higher power. Later, when the Bureau decides to bring in their secret weapon, all bets are off. At a point in both of their careers when Damon and Blunt appear to be tempting overexposure, The Adjustment Bureau offers compelling proof that their successes are well deserved. This becomes particularly evident during one pivotal scene in which a member of the Adjustment Bureau observes that Harry and Elise were meant to be together in "an earlier version of 'The Plan.'" Thanks to strong performances by both, this concept comes through powerfully from the moment they first meet -- well before that line is even spoken. Likewise, the deep-rooted friendship between David and Charlie (Michael Kelly), his main campaign aide, also comes off as endearingly authentic, while John Slattery's imposing presence adds a palpable sense of urgency to the whole affair, and Anthony Mackie plays up the more sensitive side of The Chairman's hat squad in a way that lets us know they do indeed have a conscience. Veteran actor Terence Stamp displays an intense sense of gravity as Thompson, the Bureau member who's called in when all else fails, and an all-star cast of political and pop-culture cameos convincingly places the action against a contemporary backdrop. Though it's likely that some detractors may cite the screenplay's staunch refusal to explicitly spell out the larger-scale consequences should Harry and Elise remain together as an insurmountable oversight, a revealing speech by Thompson concerning The Chairman's approach to free will hints that the couple's affair could in fact alter the course of human history, effectively launching the film's romance factor into the stratosphere while giving us just enough detail to draw our own conclusions. For those who don't mind using their imaginations to connect the dots, The Adjustment Bureau offers a fast-paced sci-fi thrill ride directly into the tunnel of love. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Jonathan Gordon  Executive Producer 
Thomas Newman  Composer (Music Score) 
Bill Carraro  Producer 
Chris Moore  Producer 
George Nolfi  Director 
George Nolfi  Producer 
George Nolfi  Screenwriter 
Michael Hackett  Producer 
Isa Dick Hackett  Executive Producer 
Matt Damon  Actor 
Emily Blunt  Actor 
Anthony Mackie  Actor 
John Slattery  Actor 
Michael Kelly  Actor 
Terence Stamp  Actor 
Lisa Thoreson  Actor 
Florence Kastriner  Actor 
Phyllis McBryde  Actor 
Natalie Carter  Actor 
Captain Gregory P. Hitchen  Actor 
Darrell James LeNormand  Actor 
Kar  Actor 
R.J. Konner  Actor 
Susan D. Michaels  Actor 
Gregory Lay  Actor 
Lauren Hodges  Actor 
Amanda Mason Warren  Actor 
Anthony Ruivivar  Actor 
Sandhi Santini  Actor 
Laurie Dawn  Actor 
Christine Lucas  Actor 
Jim Edward Gately  Actor 
Don Hewitt, Sr.  Actor 
Venida Evans  Actor 
Kyoko Bruguera  Actor 
David Gregoire  Actor 
Julie Hays  Actor 
Fabrizio Brienza  Actor 
David Bishins  Actor 
Kate Nowlin  Actor 
Rob Yang  Actor 
Jennifer Ehle  Actor 
Johnny Cicco  Actor 
Pedro Pascal  Actor 
Michael Boyne  Actor 
Sarah Bradford  Actor 
Peter Epstein  Actor 
Brian Haley  Actor 
Kirsty Meares  Actor 
Laura Kenley  Actor 
Jessica Lee Keller  Actor 
Donnie Keshawarz  Actor 
Kieran Campion  Actor 
Sandi Carroll  Actor 
Shane McRae  Actor 
Meghan Andrews  Actor 
Sandra Berrios  Actor 
David Alan Basche  Actor 
Joel de la Fuente  Actor 
Mike DiSalvo  Actor 
Dina Cataldi  Actor 
Paul DiPaola  Actor 
Jason Kravits  Actor 
Peter Jay Fernandez  Actor 
Lawrence Leritz  Actor 
Peter Benson  Actor 
Leroy McClain  Actor 
Brit Whittle  Actor 
Wayne Scott Miller  Actor 
Lorenzo Pisoni  Actor 
Bart Wilder  Actor 

Country: USA