Fate, chance, and free will collide in the thematically rich sci-fi love story The Adjustment Bureau.

Stories from science fiction writer Philip K. Dick have been used so regularly in cinema, there should be a genre solely dedicated to adaptations of his work.

Not every Dick adaptation has been a winner, yet The Adjustment Bureau is just that. Written and directed by George Nolfi (his debut), he takes Dick’s short story “The Adjustment Team” and fills it with rich characters and sharp style.

Thematically, The Adjustment Bureau does at times remind of Richard Kelly’s underrated The Box. Yet Nolfi does us all a favour and presents his ideas clearly, delivering a film where reason, faith, philosophy and romance meshes with sci-fi conventions, without becoming cluttered or bogged down by the weight of its themes.

The ever reliable Matt Damon stars as Democrat politician David Morris, who is on the brink of securing a seat in the U.S. Senate, before falling head over nicely scuffed shoes for contemporary ballet dancer Elise (Emily Blunt).

This does not sit well with the Adjustment Bureau, agents of fate who work for “The Chairman” (aka God), whose great plans for David rely on him not being with Elise.

The casting of charismatic and likeable performers is key to this film’s success. Damon and Blunt are particularly good, with their burning chemistry giving strength to their love story, and sure to draw empathy from viewers who will actually give a damn about their plight.

Damon especially sells his role as charming politician (the left leaning actor/activist’s political beliefs suiting his character), and as a kink in the cog of fate, thrilling viewers in his attempt to keep one step ahead of the masters of his destiny, bureaucrats of divine intervention clad in 1950s top hat and suit, suitably played by the likes of Mad Men actor John Slattery, and burgeoning actor Anthony Mackie whose character is sympathetic to David’s cause.

Yet more important is Nolfi’s presentation of the films interesting premise: What would you do if you knew your fate?  

Philosophical and theological questions are asked about fate, free will, and humanities reliance on both to survive. One particular sequence featuring Damon and Terrence Stamp (playing the Frank Langella role of the “Man Who Knows All”) puts all of the cards on the table in a thrilling exchange of ideas, revolving around mankind’s ability and right to chart its own course.

Are their answers found? Not really. Yet what can be certain is that The Adjustment Bureau has assured Nofli’s fate as an exciting new talent worth anticipating in the future.