The Adjustment Bureau

First, let me say, that if I were single and had no kids and Matt Damon was single and had no kids and if I looked like Elle McPherson, I would TOTALLY be Mrs. Matt Damon right now.

Now you'll understand, in a world where chick flicks exist and are probably playing at the theater at this very moment, why I chose to go see an action/adventure-type movie.

SPOILER ALERT!!!! SPOILER ALERT!!!! IF you read past here, you are going to get a real plot spoiler. STOP READING IF YOU PLAN TO SEE THE FILM AND DON'T WANT IT RUINED..........................

The best way to describe The Adjustment Bureau is "Matrix-like". It twists and turns and you just aren't sure which side is up for the better part of the picture.

The whole plot line is based on a short story. Unlike other movies, whose short story lines feel stretched to accommodate a full-length flick, this one felt just right.

I just couldn't quite figure out if the men in hats* were what they appeared to be at first blush. Just a few minutes into the show, I whispered to Mike "Those dudes are working with the devil but we're supposed to think they are angels."

For once, in figuring out the plot, I was wrong. They WERE angels.

But, the problem was, the story line got the whole God/free will/destiny/love thing wrong. Terribly wrong.

At the very end, the "Chairman" (ostensibly God), who has been attempting to break apart the lead couple's romance for the entire movie, changes his mind because the two are in love.

And that is where this film took a turn down a road that is opposed to my understanding: Humans don't change the will of God. Listening to God, our minds become one with his will and our actions follow. And His will is always for our good, even if it doesn't "feel" right at the time.

Sadly, the message was just the opposite: If you love someone enough, even if being together means you won't reach the full potential that God's plan has for you, then you can change God's will and, hence, his mind.

But here is the really interesting part: this movie made me THINK. I left the theater scratching my head about what was "off" with the plot, went to bed STILL wondering what was off-kilter, and literally didn't have an epiphany until I woke up this morning.

I will likely rent TAB to put together the little pieces that didn't quite fit into the bigger puzzle: Why were the "angels" powerless without their hats? What was up with the big parking garage? Why was there so much black, which is generally associated with evil?

I fear what I will discover, if I delve a bit more into the background of the short story and its meaning, is a twisted view of what the Bible says. Sadly, I think the author may WANT the audience to see God as an unapologetic, meddling ruler whose opinion can be swayed when "true love" descends upon two people.

And, that's my conundrum in recommending vs. not this movie.

I could recommend it purely for the sweet love story. Like the plot, I do tend to think there can be love at first sight with the right person. Conversely, I think too many people are near-sighted, going into a relationship with way too much emotion and sexual energy that they forget the real person they are dating. And, when they come up for air? They discover how wrong their vision is.

I could recommend it for discussion value. This movie won't disappoint. And I think it would make for lively conversation over coffee after the theater.

I could recommend it for the action. It is non-stop. And fun.

But, for the actual story line? I can't give it two-thumbs up. That's where the buck stops with me.

Because when the overall theme of a movie runs contrary to my values, I have to put it on the no-fly list. Even if everything else about it was stellar.

If you've seen The Adjustment Bureau, I'd love your hear your thoughts.

Just don't go into some long diatribe about how ridiculous it is to even THINK of me being Mrs. Damon. Because a girl can always dream.**

Even if her dreams are delusional.



*NO, not the 80's band. HA HA. Now "Safety Dance" is in your head....

**And since I already found the perfect, God-approved man, I really don't intend to ever pursue Mr. Damon. So, don't worry, security people being paid to protect him; I'm cool.