Free Essay

Adjustment Bureau

In:

Submitted By jks516
Words 1189
Pages 5
Culture Alert “The Adjustment Bureau” leaves its audience entertained, however it also gives them something of great significance to discuss and think about. The movie broadly addresses concepts of predestination, free-will, and to what some would view as God. Although “The Adjustment Bureau” does not reflect a biblically view of God and his nature, however the movie does a nice job of demonstrating the importance of these issues. Throughout this paper I will explore the worldviews in correlation with Ravi Zacharias’ components presented in this film, and discuss my views and opinions on the issues portrayed. Having a consistent worldview can often be challenging with the different influences in life, therefore seeing a consistent worldview in a movie can be difficult. “The Adjustment Bureau” relates to “free-will” concept that philosophers have debated for years. David, the main character, is a politician running for Senate. His campaign is going really well until a photo from college is leaked to the media of him. David also meets a woman, Elise, and immediately falls in love. Elise inspires him in many ways and he even gives a very impressing speech. David soon realizes that his choices are not his own and the direction of his life is not under his control after he tries to start a relationship with Elise. His life direction is decided by a higher power. David actually accidently sees a mysterious group of men, “the adjustment bureau”, performing mind manipulation on his campaign manager. The adjustment bureau is a group that very secretively makes sure the “Chairman’s” plans for people’s lives is carried out. David also meets a man named Harry who was assigned to David at birth. Harry is supposed to help make sure David stays on “the plan.” Though, the adjustment bureau told David that he was not supposed to run into Elise again, David will not accept his fate and decided to set off on his own journey to make a relationship work with Elise. The Adjustment bureau does everything in their power to keep David on the plan and apart from Elise. This part of the movie gets quite intense. In a Christian worldview, I believe that this movie portrays the idea of a higher power. It explores the idea of free will vs. pre-destination. There are many metaphorical people portrayed in this film that relate to a Christian worldview. Actually at one point when David realizes who Harry is he asks Harry if he is an angel. When David tries to figure out who the Chairman is, Harry looked up towards the sky and said that humans know him by many other names. Referring to the metaphorical people, in a Christian worldview, the Chairman is God. In the film the adjustment bureau is portrayed as an omniscient group that wants the best for society and carries out the plan. On the flip side after watching the mind manipulation, and how the bureau and Chairman try to keep Elise and David apart, it is like the movie encourages David to fight against his fate, or in a Christian few, sin. The worldview portrayed in this movie has an explanatory power. Harry speaks of the Chairman and explains many things to David. A good worldview is neither too simple nor too complex in its explanatory power. This is debatable as the movie seems to be quite complex and the way the plan is carried out is extreme. However, I personally believe that my worldview may make myself view that this is a complex way. Zacharias mentions that a good worldview will have a strong foundation in correspondence and it will have factual support. I think this is also portrayed in the movie as David had physically witnessed mind manipulation and spoke with Harry to learn more about the Chairman. Though this may not be David’s worldview, it was portrayed throughout the movie. I have watched this movie before and honestly had never really put the two together. After the few weeks of this class and our readings I found myself relating more and more to the Christian Faith throughout the movie and finding odd metaphors. It also made me challenge my worldviews a little more. I have read many articles along with the book on having a consistent worldview and have tried to relate to Zacharias. I found it most interesting about the sinful nature of people that is shown throughout the film. It really shows our need for God and what the consequences would be in a Godless society. The part that really hit home for me was when David was fighting with an agent about the lack of mankind’s free will. The agent told David about how the Chairman had in history given humans more freedom to make choices for themselves, but every time that the Chairman had done that humans made some of the worst decisions. During the time that the Chairman stepped back events like World Wars and the Holocaust happened. The agent also talked about when the Chairman had the greatest influences all of the good that happened during those times. I think this movie can be interpreted in many ways and often people may just watch the movie and enjoy the drama and think nothing of their faith or belief system. I think that it is so true; when you avoid God and act selfishly in life you often create a lot of difficult obstacles in your life. Though my worldview does not go hand in hand with a bunch of guys in suits enforcing the plan, I do believe that God does have a plan. When Miller spoke about obstacles and overcoming them creating strength it opened my eyes to even more. God calls us to do things in many ways, and it is best that we keep our eyes and ears open to these callings. When David argues and goes against his fate and tries to be with Elise it portrayed the image of Sin to me. I am not relating to that in a Love sense, but our human nature to always do what we want when we want to. It takes a lot of soul searching, praying, and finding ourselves to finally open our ears to what God has in store for us. This is a great movie, and I hope that it too opened the thoughts and minds of my classmates if they chose to view this movie. I think it is pretty cool how the Christian Faith can be taken in bits and pieces out of this movie, and the message that it can send. I found myself deep in thought thinking sometimes maybe it would be easier if we all had Harry by our sides helping us to make the right decisions and stay on path. However, the more I thought I knew that if I keep my heart completely open to God he too will lead the way. I have many Harrys in my life, all the wonderful friends and family that God has blessed me with that help me to stay on path in my life.

Similar Documents

Free Essay

The Written Book

...Shane Correia The Written Book In the stories of Oedipus Rex and The Adjustment Bureau, the authors present a conflict between fate and freewill that leaves us, the readers, questioning whether or not fate or freewill is what governs us. This leaves the human mind to debate if the choices in our lives are really choices that we have been left free to make on our own or if we are simply provided the illusion of choice by a higher power that controls our destinies. In the film, The Adjustment Bureau, David Norris, who is the main character in the film is told that Elise, the woman he pursues through love, is about to become “one of the most famous dancers in the country, and eventually one of the world’s greatest choreographers. If she stays with [David], she ends up teaching dance to six year olds” (George Nolfi). Not to crush Elise’s dreams and interfere with her bright future, David ends his pursuit of her much in the same way that Oedipus leaves his father, “the man whom Oedipus, long ago, feared so, fled so, in dread of destroying him” (56). Both David and Oedipus leave their loved ones behind to avoid causing harm to them, but through fate, harm comes to them anyways. Elise is emotionally crushed without David in her life, and Oedipus inadvertently kills his own father. Through fate, one can argue that the pain that Elise and Oedipus’ father incur are unavoidable and that the illusion of choice was only granted to David and Oedipus in order to give the appearance...

Words: 330 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Effect of Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes (Esaps)

...STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMMES AFFECTED WOMEN MORE THAN MEN The view that Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes (ESAPs) affected women more than men is true to a considerable extent. This was because women were a vulnerable group and Economic Structural Adjustment Programs worsened the situation and that is why ESAP have been cynically changed to mean Extreme Suffering of the African People, and this implies that Economic Structural Adjustment Programs brought more negative impact than positive ones and it were women who particularly suffered more than any other group. Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes are perceived by the Bretton Wood institutions as the process which aims at making national economies of developing countries more efficient, more flexible and better able to use resources through cutting of expenses. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were arguing that Third World countries were being faced with finance problems because they were spending too much on arms and paying workers. Hence the way to address these financial problems was by reducing on arms spending and retrenchment of extra workers, and this was the dawn of a new economic day in developing countries in the form of Economic Structural Adjustment Programmes...

Words: 1126 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

“the Rise of Neoliberalism and the Imposition of Structural Adjustment Policies (Saps) Has Been Less Destructive for Ghana’s Economy Than Its Critics Claim.” Discuss. [Your Essay Requires You to Discuss Competing

...After gaining independence, Ghana’s economy had reached a state of crisis and therefore, certain International Financial Institutions (International Monetary Fund and World Bank) had intervened. The goal for Ghana was to pursue economic growth at all costs and seek to achieve through the increase of the Growth Domestic Product and the Growth National Product. Structural adjustment programs (SAP) (designed by the World Bank and IMF) had begun being implemented by the Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). SAPs can be defined as “the process by which key institutions and policies are reconstructed with the intent on advancing economic growth”. This involves increasing economic dependency and diversifying economic resources. While looking at Peter Arthur’s opposing argument that the IFIs and their strategies were detrimental to Ghana’s economy - Kwadwo Kanadu-Agyemang and Darko Kwabena Opoku believe that these strategies and SAPs were beneficial to Ghana’s economy, only to a certain extent. This essay will aim to identify certain criticisms of Ghana undergoing the SAP as well as which sectors of the SAP were beneficial to Ghana. Furthermore, this essay will identify that the ‘imposition’ of the SAPs was indeed necessary and less destructive than its critics state. Colonial rule ended for Ghana in 1957 and they became politically independent and they were “the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to do so”. Ghana had ebeen the world’s...

Words: 1327 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Blah

...applicable discounts are applied and before tax is imposed. Eligible customer purchases include sale-, regular- and clearance-priced merchandise, but exclude the purchase of Gift Cards. Offer can be redeemed with any other offer, but cannot be redeemed for cash. Kohl's Cash® will be applied prior to percent-off total purchase discounts. Kohl's Cash® Coupon may not be redeemed (1) on purchases of Kohl's Cares® cause merchandise or other charitable items; (2) to reduce customer's Kohl's Charge or any third party charge account balance; (3) as price adjustments on prior purchases; or (4) to purchase gift cards. If merchandise purchased earning a Kohl's Cash® Coupon is subsequently returned or price adjusted, the value of the Kohl's Cash® Coupon previously earned and/or the amount of the merchandise refund will be reduced to reflect any unearned value. Return value of merchandise purchased with a Kohl's Cash® Coupon may be subject to adjustment. Offer is nontransferable. Redemption Instructions for POS Associate: Scan barcode. When prompted, print the coupon's new value on the...

Words: 329 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Chiropractic

...Chiropractic Medicine Chiropractic is a very popular alternative medical treatment system. Chiropractors work with various parts of the body to ease pain, correct alignment issues and help provide the support the body needs to naturally heal itself. “The term “chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment done by hand.” Chiropractic care is centered around hands on therapy because of adjustments with the spine, the body’s main structure. According to research and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) cost data report, in 2007 chiropractic care was one of the most exercised form of complementary health practices. Over 18 million adults and 2 million children had expedited chiropractic medicine in a year’s time. With that being said, one of the main problems people have deal with lower back pain. However, chiropractic medicine is also used for sports injuries, job related injuries, pain management and natural relaxation. Not only is chiropractic services less invasive, but is also less expensive and nerve racking. For example, a patient with chronic lower back pain could benefit more from the chiropractic field rather than surgery or medication. The high risks and chances of improvement with surgical procedures vary with the patient. Also the time it can take to fully recover after a major surgery could be even more strenuous. Chiropractic care, in my opinion, should be ones first step to recovery because it comes...

Words: 453 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Adjustment and Stress Disorder

...Adjustment and Stress Disorder An adjustment disorder or (AD) is a psychological response to a stressor or stressors that are identifiable and result in the formation and growth of clinically significant, emotional or behavioral symptoms. The symptoms displayed by a person who suffers from this disorder share similar symptoms as depressed people. As a result this disorder is sometimes referred to as situational depression. There are five criterions that are to be met for Adjustment and Stress Disorder to be accurately diagnosed. As it pertains to the diagnostic features of this disorder, symptoms must develop within 3 months after the onset of the stressor(s) (Criterion A). The clinical significance of the reaction is indicated by marked distress (the excess that would be anticipated given the nature of the stressor or stressors) or by significant impairment in social or occupational functioning (Criterion B). What this means is a reaction to a stressor that might be considered normal or expectable can still qualify for a diagnosis of Adjustment Disorder if the reaction is sufficiently severe to cause significant impairment. This category should not be used if the stress-related disturbance does not meet the criteria for another specific Axis I disorder and is not merely an exacerbation of a preexisting Axis I or Axis II disorder. In Criterion D the symptoms do not represent Bereavement. Finally in Criterion E, once the stressor (or its consequences) has been terminated, the...

Words: 574 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Pizza Hut

...TREATMENT PLAN FOR ADJUSTMENT DISORDER WITH MIXED EMOTIONAL AND CONDUCT DISTURBANCE As the primary goals of treatment of Adjustment disorders are to relieve symptoms and assist with achieving a level of adaptation that is comparable to the affected person's level of functioning before the stressful event.  Treatment Aims: a. Restoration of prior level of social interaction b. Reduction in distress c. Reduction in maladaptive behavior associated with stressors PROCESS OF TREATMENT: COGNITIVE –BEHAVIORAL THERAPY First, REALISTIC SHORT-TERM GOALS are made at the start of the session, as the course treatment of an adjustment disorder is usually short-term in nature. Goals of therapy center on social supports available to the individual in her life in the form of family, friends, and community. I used behavior therapy, it focused on having the client to keep a daily log of what triggers the stress, how the client responds to the stress, and what helps reduce the stress. Second is the PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS The individual's coping and problem solving skills are explored and developed. The steps I made to the client’s problem solving skills are: Define the problem, Recognize how you feel about the problem, Accept your feelings, Relax and try not to think about solutions for a while, Consider all possible solutions, Try to imagine how other people might solve the problem or how to obtain the information needed to solve the problem, Evaluate the pros and cons of each...

Words: 581 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Hoover Health And Wellness Center: A Case Study

...Entering the office for persistent headaches or back pain is understandable, yet these patients also receive nutritional advice to enhance their adjustments and lives. G. Forrest Edwards, D.C., D.A.B.C.O., the physician who runs the Hoover facility is dedicated to all aspects of health and wellness, including nutrition. Chiropractic care is the practice of treating a patient's illnesses or conditions through spinal adjustments. This concept, which works on the cause of the issue, rather than the symptoms associated to the issue, has been used for over a century. By keeping the neuromuscular system of the body aligned and working properly, a whole host of maladies can be treated or even reversed....

Words: 846 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Case Study: Southwest Chiropractic Care

...Page 1: Eden Prairie, MN, Chiropractor - http://www.edenprairiechiropracticcare.com/ Whether you're suffering from chronic back pain or simply recovering from an injury, finding an established chiropractor is an important first step to maximizing your health potential. When you visit Southwest Chiropractic, our highly skilled staff will take the time to learn about your individual needs and expectations before beginning to develop your individualized treatment plan. Our goal is to help as many patients as possible in Eden Prairie, MN, achieve their best health possible. We understand the importance of providing a variety of options when it comes to comprehensive chiropractic care. That's why our services include, but are not limited to, the following: General chiropractic Spinal decompression treatment Automobile injury chiropractic Sport injury chiropractic When you turn to Southwest Chiropractic, you can rest assured that our chiropractors are committed to exceeding patient expectations with every appointment. For your convenience, we're here to serve our patients in Eden Prairie Monday, 8am - 6pm; Tuesday, closed; Wednesday, 8am - 6pm; Thursday, 7am - 5pm; Friday, 7am - 3pm; Saturday, 9am - 3pm; and Sunday, by appointment. Call us for more information or to schedule your initial consultation today. Page 2: Eden Prairie, MN, General Chiropractic - http://www.edenprairiechiropracticcare.com/general_chiropractic.html When it comes general chiropractic care, healing focuses...

Words: 532 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Development

...Bibliography: Adedeji, A. (1999). "Structural adjustment policies in Africa." International Social Science Journal 51(162): 521-528. Broad, R. and J. Cavanagh (1999). "The death of the Washington consensus?" World Policy Journal 16(3): 79-88. Cleary, S. (1989). "Structural Adjustment in Africa." Trocaire Development Review 1989: 41-59. Dollar, D. and A. Kraay (2001). Trade, growth, and poverty, World Bank, Development Research Group, Macroeconomics and Growth. Escobar, A. (1992). "Culture, economics, and politics in Latin American social movements theory and research." The making of social movements in Latin America: Identity, strategy, and democracy: 65-82. Fine, B. (2002). "Economics imperialism and the new development economics as Kuhnian paradigm shift?" World Development 30(12): 2057-2070. Godard, P.-P. K. and J. H. Williamson (2003). After the Washington Consensus: restarting growth and reform in Latin America, Peterson Institute. Gore, C. (2000). "The rise and fall of the Washington Consensus as a paradigm for developing countries." World Development 28(5): 789-804. Hamilton, C. (1989). "The irrelevance of economic liberalization in the Third World." World Development 17(10): 1523-1530. Harriss, J., et al. (2003). The new institutional economics and Third World development, Routledge. Helleiner, G. K. (1992). "The IMF, the World Bank and Africa's adjustment and external debt problems: An unofficial view." World Development 20(6):...

Words: 575 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Export Processing Zones

...1 Export processing zones are also known as free trade zones. True or False True 2. The is great income disparity in South America True or False True 3. The ______b. Amazon__________________ Basin is a reservoir of biodiversity? a. Patagonian b. Amazon c. Mexico City 4. Small pox, tobacco and the potato are all examples of the Columbian Exchange. True or False True 5. ____c. El Nino____________ are periodic climate-altering changes, especially in the Pacific Ocean, now understood to operate on a global scale. ? a. hurricanes b. El Pinto c. El Nino 6-7. (2 points) Define the term structural adjustment policies (SAPs) _________________________________________________________________________  SAPs are policies that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund required from governments to receive loans. The policies were started to help countries become economically self-sufficient. This was to help ensure that that the loans would get repaid. SAPs encouraged governments to reduce spending on government programs, minimize the number of civil servants and by lowering taxes on already established private industries. _________________________________________________________________________ 8. The Incan Empire was principally in northern Mexico. True or False False 9-10. (2 points) Describe the pros and cons of NAFTA. NAFTA is a free trade agreement made between the United States, Canada and Mexico. This agreement would remove most barriers to free trade...

Words: 264 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Christian Ethic

...countries. Those heavily impoverish countries were unable to accomplish financial stability so the more fortunate countries gave back to them in the form of erasing debt. 2. What conditions do you believe should accompany debt relief to developing countries? I do believe there should be debt relief for developing countries. I think that the conditions that should accompany debt relief is that this should be ran by the person in authority of the developing country. I also think that the person in charge needs to be knowledge about the debt relief for this developing country. There are many other conditions that should accompany debt relief in developing countries. 3. Why has the application of the World Banks standard Structural Adjustment Policies been counter-productive in many developing...

Words: 385 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Psychology Case Study

...Case Study #1 Jennifer is a 29-year-old administrative assistant married to Antonio, an Italian engineer, whom Jennifer met four years earlier while on a business trip for her marketing company. The couple now lives in Nebraska, where Antonio works for the county's transportation department and Jennifer commutes an hour each way to her marketing office. They have been trying to start a family for over a year. Eight months ago, Jennifer miscarried in her second month of pregnancy. Antonio's parents love Jennifer and often ask her if she is expecting again, hoping to encourage her to focus on her next baby. Jennifer's mother passed away two years ago and her father's health is rapidly deteriorating. Jennifer faces the probability of placing her father in a skilled nursing care facility within the next few months, against his wishes. At work, Jennifer runs a tight ship. She is organized and prepares lists to assure that everything is done according to schedule. Everyone counts on Jennifer and she takes pride in never letting people down. Jennifer has visited her physician numerous times in the last six months, complaining of headaches, backaches, and indigestion. Jennifer insists that she is happy and is not feeling stressed, yet she finds herself making more mistakes at work, unable to keep up with housework, and feeling tired and overwhelmed; she has begun to question her effectiveness as an employee, wife, daughter, and potential mother. Her pains seem to be increasing...

Words: 1608 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Midlife Crises

...very common effect usually followed by an event. The age is generally 37 to 50 years old, and it is my opinion that a transition or crisis is mostly inevitable. Everyone goes through significant events, some tougher or less common than others, but all the same we have to adjust to these events. The terms midlife crisis or midlife transition is both appropriate for this time in an adult stage of life. I see a transition being more for someone who is adjusting to their children going off to college. Meanwhile, midlife crisis is termed more for a man going out and buying a sports car. Therefore, I see that midlife “crisition” is an appropriate slang I will use now that I have been more informed of the criteria. Some adjustment during midlife is normal; adjustments throughout every stage of life are normal. During this time in life there are many significant events that occur and are the cause to our actions and thus, a “in general” timeframe of common events that occur for everyone, so I do personally believe that it is inevitable to experience some kind of midlife crisis or transition. I hope to fulfill each need as a woman and also as a person that I wouldn’t react in a negative way when the inevitable event comes of my children going off to college or something unexpected occurs. We can never truly prepare ourselves for every event because our lives are not written out on manual though we do have a basic understanding and path that we expect to...

Words: 270 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Human Adjustment

...accustomed to my classmates who are from different parts of the world. Because of that diversity, I have found a spot in the class which makes me be relevant. In this context, my classmates and I talked about our individual experiences and got to know each other. Now, I no longer jump to conclusions without, first gathering all information, analyzing it which brings out my ability to think critically. Not only have I learned to think critically, I have learned to set my priorities in order. Prior to this semester, my needs were completely derailed.It has been especially captivating for me to figure out how to manage my new life between school, work, and home with my family. That being said, week two helped me make some incredible adjustments on myself. I came to find out what my strengths and weaknesses were; more...

Words: 777 - Pages: 4