Acclaimed sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick wrote approximately 121 short stories, and despite being short by definition, he’s got quite a bit of mileage from them. Nine of them to date have been adapted for the big screen, including Blade Runner, Total Recall and Minority Report (although, sadly, all of them have been released after his death in 1982); his story The Adjustment Team is the latest to get the Hollywood treatment.

Politics is a fickle game, but youthful politician David Norris (Matt Damon) appears to be playing it just right. Until he makes an ass out of himself – quite literally – when a picture of him mooning at a college reunion surfaces in the press.

His political career may have taken a dent, but at least his personal life seems on the up, when he encounters the vivacious Elise (Emily Blunt) in the men’s room. There’s almost an audible click when they meet as they get on that well. Sometimes though, life doesn’t go quite to plan.

That’s what just what the fellas from the Adjustment Bureau would have us all think. Harry (Anthony Mackie) is one of their agents, but he’s currently struggling with his job a little. It’s his responsibility to make sure that David and Elise never meet again, but a momentary slip in concentration means that they do, and that causes all kinds of problems for the bureau.

You see, no one really has control over their own destiny because that’s the bureau’s job. So when David and Elise hang out again, it causes all kinds of ripples. And the one thing the bureau can’t stand is ripples.

Despite being confronted by agents with the truth, David isn’t happy about having his life mapped out for him, but is there any way of getting the bureau off of his back and his destiny in his own hands again?

Don't you see it? Right there, in the script: Matt Damon IS Jason Bourne! I knew it!

It’s common practice these days for a new film to be described as similar to another film (or more) to help audiences decide if they want to see it or not; the problem is however, that they aren’t always accurate. On this film’s poster, for example, there’s a quote from a tired film mag stating that it’s “Bourne meets Inception”. That’s only true in the same way that Layer Cake is “Bond meets Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” i.e. Not very. So if you do go expecting a hybrid of either of those films, prepared to be disappointed.

The truth is, this film has more in common with When Harry Met Sally than either of those other titles. What this film is more than anything is a love story. It has a sprinkling of science fiction, but never enough to get the nerds aroused. And like When Harry Met Sally, the fine city of New York features heavily throughout.

What notions of sci-fi there is however, is akin to a gentler Men in Black; although in fairness, the agents in this film are more like fairies in suits. They don’t really have a bad bone in their bodies and are not in the least bit threatening. And that’s the film’s real problem; Damon spends a certain amount of time running from them, but you feel that if they do catch up with him nothing catastrophic will happen, maybe a harsh telling off. There’s just no menace. Anywhere.

What there is though is chemistry between the two leads. Damon really does appear to gel with Blunt, who has a ball with the snappy, fun dialogue. They really do look a very nice on-screen couple too.

George Nolfi has proved himself as a sharp scriptwriter (for such films as Ocean’s Twelve and The Bourne Ultimatum) but probably sends some mix messages with his directorial debut. Considering its sci-fi roots, the film has a modicum of special effects; so much so that Christmas crackers are more spectacular.

It also drags on a bit. Ultimately it would have made a really good episode of The Twilight Zone, but coming in at just over two hours as it does, it’s far longer than it needed to be.

Still, it has a big heart. And although it’s doubtful it will spearhead the birth of a new genre – Fluffy Sci-Fi – Damon and Blunt do just enough to win you over. Just don’t expect your mind to be boggled as The Adjustment Bureau is far from taxing.