The script writer of The Bourne Ultimatum filmed a story by Philip Kindred Dick about people correcting all the events in the world according to the Supreme plan: Matt Damon runs in it to compete with fate, Emily Blunt builds a career as a politician, and men's hats open the doors to parallel reality. Beautiful actors, an amazing picture, a pleasant musical accompaniment do their job - 105 minutes of time-change “Changing Reality” fly unnoticed. The world premiere of the picture took place on March 3 in 2011. Reviews of the film "Changing Reality" are mostly positive, the rating according to IMDb: 7.10.
Approval Changes
For the first directorial independent project, George Nolphy, who had previously honed his skills while writing two popular action blockbusters with M. Damon and made his screen debut as a screenwriter in the film “Trapped in Time”, took Philip Dick's not-so-famous story “Correction Team” as the basis , composed by a science fiction writer in 1954. All significant plot additions were made to the original story, after approval by the daughter of the writer Izoy Dick Hackett. She became one of the executive producers of the picture. This was enough to replenish the sci-fi cinema fund with another entertaining and clever work.
Among the other adaptations of Philip Dick, the films “Blade Runner”, “Remember Everything” and “Minority Report” stand out. If this positive trend continues, then the writer's legacy will be enough to radically change the face of the “most important art”, at least within the given genre framework.
Like an audiobook
The plot of "Changing Reality" is described in sufficient detail in the trailer, and many have read the story. Therefore, when viewing, the conclusion involuntarily suggests that all the traditional “diseases” of the film adaptations are inherent in the picture. On the one hand, the creators want to strictly follow the literary source, on the other hand, the written text is not so easy to adapt to the screen. In such a framework, every filmmaker who has decided to film the popular literary opus has to work. Some filmmakers, those who are bolder, manage to remove something grandiose, for example, Kubrick “The Shine”. But in this case, there is a risk of getting the author out of favor with the author, because S. King disliked Kubrick after the premiere. But according to reviews of the film "Changing Reality", nothing similar will happen to the Nolfi project. The tape is similar to an audiobook with bright accompanying pictures, which can be put on a par with Christopher Nolan's “Beginnings”.
Producer
The premiere of the film "Changing Reality", despite the only coincidence in the filmography of ex-screenwriter George Nolfi ("The Bourne Ultimatum", "Ocean's Twelve Friends") made it possible to call him a follower or student of Doug Lyman - their author's directorial style is similar. Lyman is known for the unique ability to generate strong genre projects, possessing, in addition to short installation and shooting, a twitchy camera, scrupulous perfectionism. The same perfection - glossy, perfect impeccability is also inherent in “Changing ...”.
The director of the film "Changing Reality" from a fantastic theme that can even depress the most optimistic layman into depression, created a neatly tailored tailored melodrama with elements of fiction. In it, surprisingly, there is not a single full-fledged antagonist, and the denouement, although predictable, does not interfere with viewing at all.
According to cinema experts, the director did an amazing job. First, he shot a picture of the great all-consuming power of love, using gloomy tones. Secondly, he created a movie masterpiece in dark tones that absolutely do not cause feelings of anxiety while watching. Yes, the narrative is full of pursuits, the inevitability of what is happening in the life of the main characters, persecuted by people in suits and hats. But the feeling of anxiety is very rare. Still, romance adjusts to the desired mood, leaving only a place for sympathy and empathy for the main characters. Therefore, the genre of the film "Changing Reality" is designated as fiction, melodrama, and only then - a thriller.
The beginning of the story
The film "Changing Reality" (2011) introduces the audience to the main character - a promising young congressman David Norris (Matt Damon), whose political career is developing truly rapidly. But his popularity in an instant is at risk because of the incriminating evidence published in the newspaper. As a result of an unpleasant incident, David remains out of the race. While rehearsing a speech for disappointed voters in the men's room, the hero encounters a girl who was hiding from the police in one of the booths. In the process of communication, it turns out that the girl's name is Eliza (Emily Blunt), she is a ballerina. After a brief pleasant conversation, she kisses Norris and runs away. The incident so encourages the man that he gives the assembled audience a chic impromptu.
After some time, the story introduces the beholder to representatives of the mysterious Bureau, wearing old-fashioned costumes and hats. They intervene in ongoing events, changing their natural course. For example, after an unexpected meeting between David and Eliza on the bus, the hero, lulled, is kidnapped.
Revelation
Waking up, David finds himself surrounded by strange people, their head introduces himself as Richardson (John Slatteri) and talks about the existence of the Supreme’s plan, demonstrating extraordinary abilities as evidence. Norris learns that his chance meeting with Eliza on the bus was not planned, so you should not look for the girl.
It takes three years. Two young people meet again by chance, David explains the reason for his disappearance. The girl forgives the man, the couple agrees to meet in the evening. But Richardson reappears on their way, making adjustments to the planned date. David cannot understand why he cannot be with Eliza. Since Richardson had already made several mistakes, the Bureau replaced him with Thompson (Terence Stamp). He does not hesitate to confront the main character with a choice - Eliza’s love or the presidency of the United States. David chooses love. But in case of separation, Elise is destined to become a great ballerina, if she chooses love, she will be just an ordinary dance teacher. David is not able to break the fate of his beloved, therefore he provokes a break.
Climax
A year passes, Eliza is going to marry the choreographer Adrian. David is unhappy, so Harry from the Bureau comes to his aid, teaches him how to move with his hat. Together, the heroes develop a plan, realizing that Norris gets to Eliza a few minutes before the wedding ceremony. Bureau employees, learning that an ordinary mortal moves in their own way, begin the persecution of fugitives. David initiates secret Eliza, who also chooses love. Now lovers decide hand in hand to go to the end, contrary to the written fate of the Supreme.
Without revealing the climax, it remains only to note that The Adjustment Bureau ends with a happy ending.
Compared to a book
In contrast to the statement, indicating the similarity of the film adaptation with the literary original, there is an opposite opinion. Reviews of the film "Changing Reality" by skeptical critics claim that comparisons of the picture and the original source are completely inappropriate. In evidence, they cite the following facts:
- From the novel by Dick, the filmmakers took only the basic idea of ​​the existence of an organization that corrects the course of history. This is where all similarities end.
- According to the writer, the “Correction Team” is a paranoid thriller about a man who, accidentally opening the “behind the scenes” of reality, almost paid for it with his life.
- The film "Changing Reality" (2011) according to the debutant of director Nolfi is a fantastic melodrama, confirming the all-conquering power of love.
About the celestial office without special effects
By the way, reviews of the film "Changing Reality" from viewers focused solely on the spectacular component are also very picky. This is not surprising, because modest computer graphics by today's standards were used only when mysterious books were created in the hands of the omnipotent Bureau, illustrating the subsequent development of the Plan. And to demonstrate the odyssey of David and Eliza through the labyrinths of various levels, when, entering the door open at the stadium, they fall into the city sewer, traditional combined shooting was used. But not one, even the most biased reviewer, cast doubt on the fact that the picture unambiguously prompts reflection, prompting, if not radically changing the concept of reality, to evaluate the originality of the voiced hypothesis with a philosophical background.
Manhattan full-scale shooting
The answer to the question of where the film "Changing Reality" was shot is New York. According to the director, the city was at the center of the story for several reasons, including the version that all power is concentrated in New York, so only the Bureau headquarters could be there.
The director, in addition to cinema, who loves architecture and dance, said that the Bureau building will be located in downtown Manhattan. To demonstrate it on the screen, the film crew connected six remarkable architectural structures: the basement of the building in Madison Square Park, the roof of the house in Midtown, some sections of the New York Public Library, stairs and walkways of the historic customs office. Cameraman John Toll chose such angles so that afterwards you could link them together.
Other episodes of The Adjustment Bureau were shot at 60 Center Street courthouse, New Leaf Restaurant & Bar, Waldorf Astoria, Fort Tryon Park, Brooklyn's Fulton Ferry Landing, Yankee Stadium, and Cedar Lake Ballet Studio in Chelsea, on the streets of West Village and Madison Square Park. Also, a couple of scenes were shot on a small pleasure boat cruising along the Hudson along western Manhattan.
Film criticism reaction
According to Rotten Tomatoes aggregator, 72% of film critics wrote positive reviews of the Nolfi project. One of them, the critic and TV presenter Roger Ebert, the author of fifteen books, rated the film three stars out of four possible. The Pulitzer Prize winner described the film as a good and smart movie that could be ideal if it were a little bolder.
According to experts, the director, raising the unconscious into a cult, presented life as layering layers as units can do - David Fincher in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, who contrasted human physiology with the passage of time, Wachkowski, “playing” the parallel Universe in the “Matrix” ”, Jaco Van Dormal, who turned human existence into a grotesque, placing it in the future.
George Nolphy, in the science fiction thriller Changing Reality, developed the theme of life’s predetermination and the limitlessness of human possibilities, showing the whole fantastic component of the picture without especially elaborate special effects. This allows you to position the film as an experiment on science fiction, and not as a fantastic film.
Performers of the leading roles. Matt Damon and Michael Kelly
In the film "Changing Reality" (2011), actors Matt Damon and Emily Blunt formed a unique creative tandem.
Almost all films with Matt Damon are phenomenally interesting and high-quality works, for example, Martian, Clever Will Hunting, Dogma, Talented Mr. Ripley, an epic about the adventures of Ocean's friends and tetralogy about Jason Bourne. The performer never lowered the bar of his acting genius. In all projects, Matt is trying to perform all the tricks on his own, except for “Reality-Changing”. Matt Damon, physically fit, ran so fast that Emily Blunt could barely keep up with him in chase scenes. The actor looks perfect in the role of a hot young politician who grew up on the streets. It seems that this clever Will Hunting grew up and went to the Senate.
To embody the childhood friend Norris on the screen, the director suggested the American artist Michael Kelly, who once made his film debut in the film "Dawn of the Dead". Now the filmography of the actor contains a lot of significant projects like “The Soprano Clan”, “Law and Order”, “Ninth Level”, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”, “Shield”, “Generation of Assassins”, etc. When Kelly read the script of “Changing People” ... ", he immediately called his agent and declared his desire to act in this movie. The actor was ready to play any proposed role, even the most insignificant, he was so attracted to the originality of the plot. But its potential was appreciated by the creators, and Michael got the role of Harry Mitchell.
Emily Blunt
The director wanted the dancer to be the second main character, he needed a serious counterbalance to the organized world of politics, in which David revolved. If the main male role was written immediately under Damon, then the casting for the main female role was long and difficult. As a result, the role went to Emily Blunt. The British actress, whose fame came after the movie "My Summer of Love", played her heroine brilliantly - with fire in her eyes. Among other well-known projects with her participation, “The Devil Wears Prada”, “The Daughter of Gideon”, “The Great Buck Howard”, “The Edge of the Future” and “Mary Poppins Returns”.
From the very beginning of the production process, the films "Changing Reality" Emily Blunt did not hide that she does not have special choreographic training. Nevertheless, she promised the director that she would train hard if she got the role. After being approved for the role, the actress met with the choreographer of the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Benoit-Sven Puffer, who managed to instill in a short time a diligent student of the foundations of dance art.
The cast of the tandem of the main cast was appreciated. Critics described it as well-trained, as they had the opinion that they were watching not a film, but a performance that the actors played a hundred times. Not a single blot, not a single mistake, characters are honed, emotions are sincere.
These characters in Reality-Changing are really good. So sensual and romantic, Matt seemed to have never been seen before, Emily is simply delightful. Empathize with their heroes.
People from the Bureau
The agents of the Correction Bureau, which were played in the film "Changing Reality" (2011), actors Anthony Mackie, John Slattery and Terence Stamp, are moderately persistent, funny and severe.
Especially vividly played his role Thompson, one of the most sought-after British film actors Stamp. In the episode, when he explains to the central character that he should act exclusively according to the plan, you begin to believe that the man in the hat is infinitely right.
John Slateri, reincarnated as Richardson, is prohibitively charming in his immediate conviction.
And John Slateri, known for his role as Roger Sterling in the television series Mad Men, is very charming in his spontaneity.
Bureau Inspector David's name is Harry. The guardian, who has been engaged in the main character since his birth, helping to realize his plans, was played by the American performer Anthony Mackie. In "Changing Reality" the actor was invited by the director himself. Nolfi, looking for a performer for the role of guardian angel David, noticed Mackie in the movie "The Tempest Lord", where he played with D. Renner.
According to the director’s idea, the clothes of the Bureau’s agents should be different from ordinary, without attracting special attention. Therefore, after consulting with the designer Kasey Valitska-Mamon, Nolfi decided to opt for classic costumes and hats. Moreover, the unusual abilities of agents are manifested through the use of hats. To realize his plans, the designer, working on the creation of sketches, was inspired by the best examples of men's costume fashion at the beginning of the 20th century. Since the employees of the Bureau pose a certain danger, military elegance is inherent in their appearance and clothes: straight lines, smartness and severity.
Watching the actions of members of the Bureau in every possible way preventing the rapprochement of the characters of Damon and Blunt is half the pleasure of watching the picture. Because they correct the course of history in a very original way, mainly fine-tuning the heroes with minor dirty tricks. Spilled coffee, running boards, disconnected phones, a red traffic signal - these little things, as it turned out, are enough to provoke the separation of the main characters.
Interesting Facts
- At about the 18th minute of the picture’s timing, when the character Anthony Mackie is chasing a bus, in which the heroes Damon and Blunt leave, a street advertisement for the movie “Sherlock Holmes” (2009) with Robert Downey Jr flashes in the frame. and Jude Law in the title roles.
- To convey to the on-screen politicians the way of thinking of the real ones, before the start of the production process, the director, Damon and Kelly met several times with ex-congressman Harold Ford.
- During the filming process, Matt received an invitation to attend the evening hosted by the Clinton Global Initiative Foundation. The producers decided to use a unique chance. They obtained permission to conduct video shooting, sent the actor to the celebration dressed in the costume of his character. Thus, shots were taken in which Norris communicates with incumbent senators and President Clinton himself.
Conclusion
People can really try to escape from fate (which is what the character of Matt Damon literally does), choose their own path, fall into parallel realities, but this is Sisyphus labor. And freedom of choice - just an illusion - clearly shows viewers George Nolphy in the happy end of his melodramatic cinema science fiction.
Reality-Changing is a strange movie. Half thriller, half melodrama. A cinema that asks philosophical questions about freedom of choice and fate, but practically does not answer them in any way. A picture with very cute characters, without unambiguously negative characters, but with a not entirely original plot. Conceptually, George Nolphy’s project is very reminiscent of the fantastic detective directed by Alex Proyas “The Dark City” (1998), in which the main characters were also chased by mysterious people in hats, correcting what was happening, capable of changing reality in an instant.
Despite everything, watching a Nolfi movie is not boring, but this is important. Reality-Changing has a very pleasant aftertaste, I want to review it and strongly recommend viewing it.