Many couples will say that there are people conspiring to keep them apart. But in The Adjustment Bureau, rising politician David Norris (Matt Damon) glimpses a much darker conspiracy — agents of the Bureau, who not only want to keep him from pursuing a relationship with a ballerina (Emily Blunt), but also control the rest of the world as well.
In the short story “Adjustment Team” by science-fiction writer Philip K. Dick, the protagonist was an insurance salesman. The film creators made him a politician because, says producer Michael Hackett, “Picking a politician allowed us a character whose decisions can matter to people beyond himself. If he chooses to stay on his career path, he can actually, under the right circumstances, do great things for millions of people.”
And with a bit of serendipity, the worlds of film and reality collided. While making the film, Damon was asked to be a part of President Clinton’s Global Initiative. The initiative people allowed a small film crew to follow Damon, recording his movements documentary-style for the film as Damon-as-Norris interacts with politicians and their staff.
Damon was also doing promotions for the film The Informant!, in which he had a starring role. As a result, if he seemed a bit overdressed in his 2009 appearance on The Daily Show, it was because the Bureau crew also filmed a conversation between Damon’s character and Jon Stewart.
“The Adjustment Bureau” is now showing on Video On Demand. Check your cable system for availability.
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© 2011 Universal Studios
