The Adjustment Bureau

I sat down to watch this film knowing only one thing: Matt Damon is in it. That's it. And that's enough for me.

Not typical of me to have such little prior information. Actually, this was a nice way to watch a film, just letting it unfold, peel away as I tried to decipher this new reality. Hmm, much like our protagonist played by Damon.

I applaud this film for originality. It dared to tackle some pretty esoteric/existential themes. What, exactly is this three-legged stool of Life, balancing Free Will, Chance, and Divine Intervention? Love it.

I enjoyed the film. Found myself really absorbed by it, forgetting all time and place. Made me think. Certainly tested my suspension of disbelief. Made me examine my beliefs (whatever they may be today). Fed my need for Jon Slattery (of Mad Men); been a fan for a long time.

I've long been fascinated by the teeny, tiny forks in the road which we take every day without even thinking about it. Just last Sunday, Sunday Morning did a piece about this. It begs for Malcolm Gladwell to tackle it; truly a blend of his Blink and Tipping Point. For example, during JFK's senator years, he would have been assassinated if only he had answered his front door bell instead of Jackie. So we wonder: what if I hadn't taken that different route to work today?...

Now, this film became compressed into a nice, neat love story. This disappointed me. And I HATED the remark by a head angel bemoaning the very notion of poor Emily Blunt's character being reduced to merely "teaching dance to 4th graders." Yea, I get the point, but I detest those old cliches.

Anyway, a good (far from great) film that simply reminds us of questions we will never be able to answer. Torture.

Damon is still cute.