Screenplay data
After a political defeat, ambitious politician David Norris meets and falls for dancer Elise Sellas, only to be warned by the mysterious Adjustment Bureau that their relationship is not part of humanity's predetermined plan. Despite the Bureau's repeated interventions and warnings, David relentlessly pursues Elise, learning from a sympathetic agent that their union would disrupt the Bureau's control by fostering unprecedented free will. Defying the Bureau, David navigates magically controlled doors and evades agents to reach Elise before her wedding to another man, confessing the truth about their preordained separation. Together, David and Elise confront the Bureau, declaring their love and intent to choose their own path, which ultimately convinces the Chairman to approve a new plan allowing them to be together, free from interference.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The story follows David Norris, a charismatic politician whose campaign for Senate is derailed by mysterious agents controlling fate.
Open full beat sheetDavid Norris is listed as Protagonist. A 33-year-old ambitious politician running for the US Senate. In the parsed data, David Norris is connected to 98 scenes, 361 dialogue lines, 371 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
98 scenes / 361 dialogue linesElise Sellas is listed as Love Interest. A dancer with the Manhattan Modern Ballet. In the parsed data, Elise Sellas is connected to 35 scenes, 148 dialogue lines, 150 text mentions, first appearing around scene 75.
35 scenes / 148 dialogue linesRichardson is listed as Antagonist. A senior member of the Adjustment Bureau. In the parsed data, Richardson is connected to 27 scenes, 74 dialogue lines, 298 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
27 scenes / 74 dialogue linesCharlie Traynor is listed as Campaign Manager. David's close friend and campaign manager. In the parsed data, Charlie Traynor is connected to 24 scenes, 53 dialogue lines, 56 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
24 scenes / 53 dialogue linesHarry is listed as Adjustment Bureau Agent. An agent of the Adjustment Bureau who begins to sympathize with David. In the parsed data, Harry is connected to 23 scenes, 70 dialogue lines, 142 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
23 scenes / 70 dialogue linesMcCrady is listed as Adjustment Bureau Agent. An agent working under Richardson. In the parsed data, McCrady is connected to 17 scenes, 25 dialogue lines, 57 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
17 scenes / 25 dialogue linesThompson is listed as Senior Adjustment Bureau Agent. A high-ranking, intimidating agent of the Adjustment Bureau. In the parsed data, Thompson is connected to 10 scenes, 36 dialogue lines, 174 text mentions, first appearing around scene 168.
10 scenes / 36 dialogue linesDIANE SAWYER is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, DIANE SAWYER is connected to 6 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 158.
6 scenes / 10 dialogue linesLAUREN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, LAUREN is connected to 6 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 23 text mentions, first appearing around scene 102.
6 scenes / 8 dialogue linesWOMAN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, WOMAN is connected to 5 scenes, 49 dialogue lines, 69 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
5 scenes / 49 dialogue linesTHOMPSON'S AIDE is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, THOMPSON'S AIDE is connected to 4 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 213.
4 scenes / 5 dialogue linesBurdensky is listed as Adjustment Bureau Legal. A legal representative for the Adjustment Bureau. In the parsed data, Burdensky is connected to 3 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 18 text mentions, first appearing around scene 56.
3 scenes / 9 dialogue linesDONALDSON is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, DONALDSON is connected to 3 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 27 text mentions, first appearing around scene 143.
3 scenes / 8 dialogue linesCNBC ANCHOR is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, CNBC ANCHOR is connected to 3 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
3 scenes / 6 dialogue linesADRIAN is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, ADRIAN is connected to 3 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 17 text mentions, first appearing around scene 209.
3 scenes / 4 dialogue linesVOICE is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, VOICE is connected to 3 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 16 text mentions, first appearing around scene 87.
3 scenes / 3 dialogue linesAIDE is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, AIDE is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesRECEPTIONIST is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, RECEPTIONIST is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 129.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCAMPAIGN AIDE is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, CAMPAIGN AIDE is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesCOURT CLERK is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, COURT CLERK is connected to 2 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 225.
2 scenes / 2 dialogue linesThe Chairman is listed as Deity-like figure. The ultimate authority overseeing the Adjustment Bureau. In the parsed data, The Chairman is connected to 1 scene, 7 dialogue lines, 21 text mentions, first appearing around scene 258.
1 scenes / 7 dialogue linesDONALDSON'S AIDE is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, DONALDSON'S AIDE is connected to 1 scene, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 151.
1 scenes / 4 dialogue linesPOLICE OFFICER is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, POLICE OFFICER is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 118.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesCOURT REGISTRAR is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, COURT REGISTRAR is connected to 1 scene, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 209.
1 scenes / 3 dialogue linesThis scene block primarily contains the film's title and credits, followed by a transition to a black screen with muffled crowd sounds, and then a fade-in.
David Norris, a confident politician, prepares for an event at St. Johns University, where he is greeted by a DNC representative, Fred O'Malley (Blue Blazer), and his associate, Charlie Traynor, who are impressed by the large crowd gathered for his "Norris for Senate" campaign.
BLUE BLAZER, Charlie Traynor, VOICE ON PA SYSTEM, BLUE-BLAZER, David NorrisDavid Norris announces his candidacy for the US Senate to an enthusiastic crowd at St. John's University, followed by a montage illustrating his charismatic and successful campaign across various locations and demographics.
David NorrisDavid enters his quiet hotel room, where he meticulously reviews his campaign itinerary, demonstrating an impressive memory for details about the people he is scheduled to meet, all while being bothered by the profound silence.
David NorrisCharlie confronts David at a hotel bar for not resting his voice before an important interview, but then reveals David's poll numbers have increased. The scene ends with a transition to a campaign update.
David Norris, CAMPAIGN AIDE, Charlie TraynorIn a bustling Waldorf Astoria hotel suite, Charlie Traynor, an optimistic political operative, discusses early vote totals and then urgently demands to get the Suffolk numbers from his team.
Charlie TraynorFour men in timeless suits walk across a snowy rooftop, surveying the city below as if it is their domain.
David watches election coverage where pundits discuss his opponent's victory and criticize his past, making him wince, until his friend Charlie enters and tries to offer optimism, which David doesn't share.
Charlie Traynor, PUNDIT #2, PUNDIT #1In the campaign's nerve center, Charlie and David receive increasingly grim election results, culminating in NBC calling the New York Senate race for Roger Lynfield, confirming David Norris's crushing defeat.
Charlie Traynor, BRIAN WILLIAMS, SENIOR AIDE, AIDE, David NorrisOn a rooftop at night, boss Richardson discusses an important night with his tired aide, Harry, and suggests he take a vacation, which Harry is skeptical about.
Richardson, HarryIn a tense Waldorf Hotel suite, staff and supporters are quiet and avoid eye contact with their candidate, David, who then tells Charlie he's going for a walk to figure out his speech.
David NorrisFour-hundred campaign workers in the Waldorf's Grand Ballroom silently watch election news on big screens, their mood having quickly shifted from hopeful to funereal.
David attempts to find a quiet moment in the Waldorf Lobby but is recognized by the Assistant Manager, who directs him to the Grand Ballroom and offers empty banquet rooms for solitude.
ASSISTANT MANAGER, David NorrisDavid stands alone in an empty banquet room, attempting to acclimate to the space, followed by a production note.
David, a recently defeated Senate candidate, encounters a woman hiding from security in a men's room after crashing a wedding; they share champagne, discuss his political loss, and end up kissing before being interrupted by Charlie.
Charlie Traynor, WOMAN, David NorrisIn a ballroom area, a woman emerges from a bathroom with David and Charlie, but is quickly spotted by hotel security. She gives David a cryptic warning before fleeing, leaving David surprisingly invigorated and ready to give his speech.
Charlie Traynor, HOTEL SECURITY, WOMAN, David NorrisDavid addresses his heartbroken supporters, delivering a speech that transitions from humorous anecdotes about resilience to a heartfelt reflection on his life's purpose and commitment to service, deeply moving the audience.
David NorrisIn the pre-dawn quiet of Madison Square Park, Mr. Richardson arrives in a black Mercedes, exits the car, and enters the park.
Harry and Richardson meet pre-dawn on a park bench to discuss an upcoming event, with Richardson also inquiring about Harry's vacation plans before he leaves.
Richardson, HarryDavid Norris wakes up to his alarm clock at 5:45 AM, turns it off, and gets out of bed.
David works out intensely at an Equinox Gym, demonstrating a high energy level as he runs, hits a heavy bag, and does sit-ups.
The scene opens in David's apartment, which is cluttered with papers, as a CNBC broadcast announces David Norris's new position as Vice Chairman of RSR Capital.
CNBC ANCHORDavid shaves in the bathroom while a CNBC Anchor's voiceover details Norris's career at Goldman Sachs and his early entry into Congress.
CNBC ANCHORDavid is in his living room, distracted by a CNBC broadcast, when his new blackberry rings repeatedly. He finally answers it, speaking to Charlie, who informs him that a reporter will call him on the blackberry about joining a firm, citing compliance rules David himself helped create.
CNBC ANCHOR, Charlie Traynor, David NorrisDavid is seen through a Starbucks window getting coffee, then exits, and the camera holds on the door.
Harry is snoring on a bench in Madison Square Park when David walks past.
David arrives at Fifth Avenue just in time to catch the M1 Limited-Stop bus.
Harry wakes up in Madison Square Park, realizes he's late, and quickly spots David about to board a bus, prompting him to leap up.
David tries to alert the bus driver about someone running for the bus, but the driver dismisses him, stating another bus is right behind.
BUS DRIVER, David NorrisHarry runs after a bus that pulls away, calling out "No..." as it leaves.
HarryOn a bus, David recognizes a sleeping woman from election night, and after he stares at her legs, they engage in a sharp, flirtatious, and witty exchange about their attire, his past political speech, and his constantly ringing phone.
WOMAN, David NorrisHarry runs down Broadway, looking east on 19th Street to spot a bus on Park Avenue.
On a bus, a woman complains to David about his phone's poor performance, to which David responds with a sarcastic comment about the telecom lobby.
WOMAN, David NorrisHarry spots a bus, puts on his fedora, and signals for it, saying "Now."
HarryDavid's phone rings, causing him to spill coffee on a woman's dress, for which he apologizes while trying to suppress laughter.
David NorrisHarry, looking at a leather portfolio containing a circuit diagram, exclaims "Shit!" and then chases after a bus down Broadway.
HarryDavid attempts to compensate a woman for spilled coffee, leading to a playful struggle where she tries to spill coffee on him, intercepts his phone calls, and ultimately drops his phone into the coffee before introducing herself as Elise.
WOMAN, David NorrisDavid watches Elise exit the bus and then tells her he woke up thinking about her, which instantly melts her bravado.
David NorrisDavid watches Elise from a bus window as she walks away, and she blows him a kiss, making his heart skip a beat.
Harry runs through Union Square, heading towards David's bus.
On a bus, David carefully tucks Elise's number into his wallet and enjoys a satisfying sip of coffee.
Harry spots David through a bus window, reacting by putting on his fedora and pointing at the bus.
David's coffee lid pops off just as he finishes a sip, causing the coffee to spill on the floor instead of his shirt.
Harry chases a bus, then gets hit by a taxi and rolls onto its hood.
HarryDavid calls Charlie from the bus to inform him that he has encountered the woman from election night.
Charlie Traynor, David NorrisHarry lies dazed in the road after being hit by a taxi, and the taxi driver exits his car to check on him.
Charlie asks David about someone he kissed, and David clarifies that she initiated the kiss and he didn't resist.
David Norris, Charlie TraynorHarry wakes up on Park Avenue South, bruised but okay, and locates his crushed hat under a taxi's front tire.
While on a bus, David is speaking with Charlie on the phone when Charlie is abruptly cut off. David attempts to redial but gets a busy signal, expressing his frustration.
David Norris, Charlie TraynorAn injured Harry asks the taxi driver to retrieve his "PLANBOOK," and upon examining a complex circuit diagram inside, he observes the lines on the page seemingly rearranging themselves, prompting a surprised reaction.
TAXI DRIVER, HarryDavid, still grinning, arrives at his downtown office tower and enters through the revolving door.
David enters his office building's ground floor lobby, which is mostly empty except for a security guard, and gets into an elevator.
David enters the 41st-floor lobby, attempts to greet the receptionist who is on the phone, and then decides to proceed without announcing himself.
David NorrisDavid arrives at the RSR Capital offices to find it unusually quiet, then discovers a secretary, Susan, unresponsive at her desk and rushes to get help.
David NorrisDavid enters Charlie's office to find Charlie frozen with probes attached to his head, surrounded by men in protective suits. David confronts Mr. Richardson and his aides, who then order their men to grab David, causing him to flee.
Richardson, David NorrisDavid attempts to escape an RSR office building but is repeatedly thwarted by Richardson, who appears to defy physics, leading to David being subdued with chloroform. He awakens in a warehouse where Richardson, McCrady, and others discuss his situation and the need for legal intervention.
Burdensky, Richardson, McCradyIn a warehouse, David is interrogated by Burdensky and Richardson about his deviation from "the Plan," attempts to escape but is supernaturally subdued, and is ultimately warned to keep their existence secret before they discover his encounter with Elise and destroy her contact information.
Burdensky, Richardson, NEW MAN IN SUIT, David NorrisDavid exits a warehouse and, after a moment of disorientation, realizes he is in DUMBO by spotting both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.
A visibly shaken David sits alone at a bar, where he is approached by a bartender and then by Harry, who tells him they need to talk elsewhere and offers some comforting advice.
BARTENDER, Harry, David NorrisDavid walks across the Brooklyn Bridge towards downtown Manhattan, lost in thought among other commuters.
David enters the RSR offices and observes his colleagues, who are going about their business as if nothing happened.
David, feeling disoriented, enters an empty office before being directed to a finance meeting by a secretary. Charlie then finds David, expresses concern about his state, and asks about "the girl" as they head to the conference room.
David Norris, Charlie Traynor, SECRETARYThe scene opens with a long shot of RSR Capital, where the firm's partners are holding their weekly investment committee meeting, and David is closely observing Charlie.
Charlie asks David why he isn't smiling as they walk back to David's office and enter.
Charlie TraynorIn David's office, David tells Charlie he lost a woman's number, claiming he was pickpocketed. Charlie is initially skeptical but then apologizes when he realizes David is serious.
Charlie Traynor, David NorrisDavid sits on a pier bench, feeling the cold wind, and discovers a ticket for a 4 pm Circle Line tourist boat cruise in his coat pocket.
Harry and David are on a Circle Line cruise, where Harry explains that his organization can't read minds but can sense choices before they are made. Harry also reveals that Charlie's "adjustment" involved a change in how he assesses risk, and that Harry is risking his own safety by sharing this information with David.
Harry, David NorrisDavid confronts Harry about why "they" are preventing him from being with Elise, and Harry advises David to forget about her because he will never find her, emphasizing the importance "they" place on keeping them apart.
Harry, David NorrisThe scene opens on Madison Square Park in the morning, with sunlight cutting through the blooming trees, indicating it is springtime.
David wakes up just before his alarm, turns it off, and then continues to lie in bed.
Three years later, David, now living in a much larger apartment and appearing more subdued, discusses a speech on the phone with Charlie before ending the call and leaving with a noticeable detachment.
David Norris, Charlie TraynorDavid exits Starbucks with a coffee and walks through Madison Square Park towards a bus stop, his posture and gait noticeably different from three years ago.
David boards an M1 bus, scans the other passengers out of habit, and then takes a seat.
David, riding a bus, spots a woman on the sidewalk who strongly resembles Elise, prompting him to frantically demand the bus driver stop immediately.
DRIVER, David NorrisDavid spots Elise on the street and chases after her, confessing he's been hoping to run into her for years. Despite Elise's skepticism and anger about him not calling in the past, David cancels an important work speech to convince her to walk and talk with him, determined not to lose her again.
Charlie Traynor, Elise Sellas, David NorrisMr. Richardson is in his elegant office when his aide, McCrady, enters and informs him that they have a problem.
McCradyDavid and Elise walk and discuss their past connection, with Elise questioning David's intentions and his failure to contact her over the years, which David attributes to being mugged and losing her number, leading Elise to finally reveal her last name.
Elise Sellas, David NorrisIn Richardson's office, McCrady shows Richardson a shifting diagram, leading Richardson to question how their path-analysis missed something. Richardson then asks McCrady for their current location, which McCrady identifies as Central Park, Bethesda Fountain.
Richardson, McCradyDavid and Elise walk through Central Park, discussing David's potential return to politics and Elise's career as a dancer, which leads to David inviting her to a show and then to brunch with some playful banter.
Elise Sellas, David NorrisRichardson and McCrady emerge from a bar structure on a boathouse patio and spot David and Elise entering a nearby restaurant, with the scene highlighting an improbable travel time for Richardson and McCrady.
THOMPSON You know, we actually tried Free Will before. After taking you from hunting and gathering to the height of the Roman Empire we stepped back to see how you'd do on your own. You gave us the Dark Ages -- for five centuries -- until finally we: decided we should come back in. The Chairman thought maybe we just needed to do a better job of teaching you how to ride the bike before we took the training wheels off again. So we gave you the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, the Scientific Revoluton.:we spent six hundred years tempering your passions with reason.,then in 1910 we stepped ba c again. Within fifty yearsyou brought us World War I, the lepre'ssion, Fascism, the Holocaust ani capped it off by bringingtheentire planet to the brink of destruction in the Cuban Missile Crisis. A decisiOfl was taken atthat point that we' should stop in again before ou did _soittething even we Cduldn't fix. You on't have_ Free Will, David, you have the appearance of Free =Will.
TH2;.>�HAT, RMAN I could control 'everything. You'd be ha` 3 ou' d be puppets. I try to .keep things from getting too out of control. But that has a cost. Most people go through life like pinballs, reacting predictably to the stimuli I apply. They accept the path they find themselves on. And perform accordingly. But every once in a while someone comes along who refuses to be bound by his fate, someone who understands that Free Will is a gift most people are too afraid to use. Which, you see, is partly the point of all this. THE CHAIRMAN (cont'd) Or maybe you don't see it. Maybe you just feel it. And that's even better. Because that's the other part.
DAVID After my brother died my Dad wanted to get me out of town for a while. We went to Washington and the day we arrived he took meto the. Capitol. We ended up sitting in the Senate gallery;,all day. We could see that from the end of my block, but-be never once encouraged me to go to Wall Street. His idol was JFK. He thought business guys were selfish.
RICHARDSON It wasn't your fault. Your Path through the world this morning was supposed to be adjusted. Your coffee was supposed to.spill onto your shirt as you left Starbucks near your apartment. You would have gone up to change and arrived at work ten minutes later than you did. By then we would have left. People call it "chance" when their coffee spills or their internet goes down or they misplace their keys. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it's:us...nudging you back on Plan.
DONALDSON I'm talking about the intense chemistry between them, the constant inflection points, and the kicker of course: you pulling them apart only to have "chance" put them back together. Twice. That seemed impossible. So I asked Burdensky to do some research this morning, which he just completed.
DIANE SAWYER (ON TV) .run aw ay from the embarrassing things they've done Yoti,crack, jokes about them. You embrace, them. Especially since your.;, concession speech thr ee years ago which started as a `sstd-up routine and brought tears to my,eyes by the .,end when you talked about losing Your mother to Lancer and then your older brother,,Pdt, to an overdose, both whei.you:were only ten years old.
HARRY one wearing a hat Is. a threat. vv1Le. h e rea lizes w hat' = g oin g on , Thompson is gong to pull out all the stops. H going to get reinforcement Jots of them. I don't care if u'see a auv wearing a Yankees ca a"yarmulke, or a bowler, as he's working for them.
DAVID I swear to God I didn't have your number. I swear on my parents' graves. DAVID (CONT'D) I didn't even have a last name to try to track you down. Do you know how many pages come back when you type "Elise" into Google? And none of them were you.
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