Trippy sci-fi cum romantic thriller; Damon & Blunt add the heart to a decent Dick adaptation

Rating: 9/10 (23 March 2011)

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU (2011) ***1/2 Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, John Slattery, Anthony Mackie, Terence Stamp, Michael Kelly. Crackling good Philip K. Dick adaptation with a politico (Damon at his low-key best) finding himself the unwitting pawn of a phalanx of the titular 'men-in-hats' who control select persons' fates and futures makes things difficult for the choice in his career climbing ambitions for the love of a beautiful dancer (eternally beguiling Blunt) – wherever the chips may lie. Trippy and provocative with its emotional core stripped to some serious on screen chemistry for the couple in peril and the ramifications of Dick's freewill vs. fascistic state is wonderfully put to task by filmmaker George Nolfi who also did the clever adaptation – a decidedly romantic "1984" if you will.