I must preface this gushfest with the admission that I've been dying to see this film since the first preview months ago. They so Had Me At Hello. During a regular year, I only actually go to the movie theater to see about four movies. Wait a couple of months, and it will come on cable where I can watch it alone in the comfort of my own home. But I had no intention of waiting for this one.
Now that I've fessed up to my pre-biased status as ready to like this film, I am happy to admit that I was not let down in the least. The story was exactly as it was promoted (which is often not the case) and took me on the journey of a love story and what we are willing to do for true love.
As you have probably seen in the previews, the story follows David Norris (Matt Damon), promising political candidate, and Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), a modern ballet dancer, who meet "accidentally" on a pivotal night in Norris' career. She serves her purpose, and that is supposed to be the end of it. But the Adjustment guys are not so perfect, and David and Elise meet again and cement the immediate chemistry they first felt (and which I believed to the tip of my toes).
What follows is attempts to separate them, based on the reasoning that they are not supposed to be together. It is not the plan for either of them and will actually lead them both to miss out on their dreams. Is the attachment so great that he is willing to risk his own aspirations? But, what about hers?
It is interesting to ponder the concept about why things happen the way they do. Was spilling your coffee and being five minutes late truly an accident, or was it part of your life plan? Or an adjustment to your life plan? Do we have free will, or is there some greater universal force that has a master plan for each of us?
Personally it makes me smile a bit, remembering a weekend almost 23 years ago. I was supposed to be working that weekend, but my best girlfriend invited me to a get away with her and her boyfriend--mostly to help me recover from yet another very broken heart. Amazingly, a co-worker who strongly disliked me (I mean, really strongly) agreed to take my shifts. This led to a wonderful weekend away from my troubles,...in which I met this great guy. Engaged a few months later. Hmmmmm. So was it chance that everything fell into place, or is there a plan?
Maybe it is just comforting to think that there is a force of some sort that knows what's exactly best for each one of us, personally, and is guiding our path. There has been many a movie focusing on this theme. I'm not sure I have any solid answers for any of that. This film, however, draws some interesting conclusions. I don't do spoilers, so you'll have to find out for yourself. I must say, I was highly satisfied with the ending--except I wanted to know what happened from there. That's a good place to be at the end of a film.
While I give this movie my highest recommendation for lovers of romance, there were some very burly guys outside the theater who were unimpressed. I heard something to the effect of "suck-fest" and one wishing he could have that 90 minutes back. Poor guy. I've felt that way before. Maybe he should have seen "Hall Pass".
For the rest of you, especially the women who believe in soul-mates and the power of love, head to this movie first.
And that guy I met all those years ago, he thought the film was excellent.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1385826/
PS This film is based on a short story by Philip K Dick, who is also credited with things like "Blade Runner", and "Total Recall" (okay, cheesy movie, but good story), "Minority Report", and "A Scanner Darkly". If you enjoyed any of those, you'll be thrilled here.
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