The Adjustment Bureau

Minor spoilers ahead! Minor spoilers ahead!

Loosely based on a Phillip K. Dick short story, this expertly crafted film is the first must see of the year!

Matt Damon stars as David Norris, the youngest ever candidate for NY senate. Damon is rather refreshing here, as he easily slips into the various shades of David without ever making them seem awkward or out of place. The later more lovelorn sequences nicely contrast the more jovial bits in the beginning, and he plays them to a T.

That's not to sell his co-star, a radiant, beautiful, and exemplary Emily Blunt, short. She's just as damn good. The scene where the two meet because she was hiding in the men's bathroom, and where they have their first kiss, could have come off as forced or dumb, but thanks to Blunt's performance you understand instantly why anyone would fall for her.

It's also just as easy to see how someone would fall for Damon's Norris. Aside from two individual great performances, the final aspect that makes these two so perfect for their roles is how well the are together. Their chemistry is immediately felt, and noticed. It's not artificial or contrived, it's as natural and as intense as anything like that can get. These two not only heat the screen up, but can damn near launch a rocket. I seriously cannot stress enough how undeniable and stunning the magnetism is between Blunt and Damon. Without such awe-inspiring chemistry, this whole thing would have been DOA.

The supporting cast doesn't take a flase turn. Anthony Mackie plays Harry, personal Adjuster to Norris. The turns and reasoning the character goes through all seem quite reasonable. Mackie plays is somewhat repressed, as all Adjusters are, and when nobler actions happen, it's that much more graitfying. John Slattery is terrific as the bureaucratic leader of the team Mackie is on. Terrence Stamp shows up for a wonderful extended cameo, and he nails it.

Writer-director George Nolfi is definitely someone to keep an eye on. This is his directorial debut, but it never feels like such. It has such a vivid style and look, thanks in large part to the wonderful work of DP John Toll. The camera moves and angles all do a paramount job of allowing the audience to know that it's our world, but slightly off.

The costumes in this film are phenomenal! The Adjusters are all Noir-ed out in suits and fedoras, that act like modern day halos! Norris' evolution throughout the film, and the way it shows in his costume changes is very effective. Blunt looks fantastic throughout, but her red dress (featured in the posters) is a stand out.

The best thing about the movie is it's sheer scope- romantic drama, thriller, dissection of predetermination vs. free-will, and sci-fi head tirp- and how aptly it's all handled. The change in tone and action are as natural as Damon and Blunt's chemistry.

With some of the best chemistry between two leads ever put to film, and an original spin on an old tale, this movie is much more than it appears to be!