The master plan is confused

Rating: 5/10 (22 March 2011)

The bureau of the title is helping wretched humankind, by performing seemingly trivial adjustments in daily events, which should steer us gently towards some unidentified superior purpose. It is an intriguing premise, but unfortunately it goes pretty much nowhere.
The plot could have developed by investigating further the nature of the adjustments and the ripples they create, or on what free will is actually about and why humankind is not yet capable to handle it.
Instead, it develops the idea that love at first sight do exists and so does that elusive "other half" we need to find to feel finally whole. Both concepts are very romantic but difficult to sell to a grown-up (or just cynical) audience.
Matt Damon plays David, who could have a great future and a positive influence on mankind (or at least on the US), but keeps deviating from this nobler and higher purpose because of Elise– a flirty ballerina he met in the gents room (not the most romantic location).
Throughout the movie I kept thinking that Elise kept popping up at the worst possible time and considered her more as disturbance rather than the romantic interest, which is a clear sign I did not buy into the star-crossed lovers' side of the story.
What I appreciated was the minimal special effects and Damon's performance, but I still consider - with regret -this movie a miss, despite the huge potential.
P.S. and in real life, people who fall asleep on the job usually get fired, not promoted.