The Good Shepherd

[AZZenny]

Pretty good -- a bit long, and for me, Matt Damon just doesn't quite make the grade... well, he just isn't a very good actor. But the plot is elegantly crafted, it's nicelt directed, and it is based on a true CIA officer -- many of the plot-lines are very close to actual events -- and anyone who has a jones for Yale's Skull and Bones will get off on this movie. I'd probably wait till its on DVD, though.

 

[Stout]

Pretty good -- a bit long, and for me, Matt Damon just doesn't quite make the grade... well, he just isn't a very good actor. But the plot is elegantly crafted, it's nicelt directed, and it is based on a true CIA officer -- many of the plot-lines are very close to actual events -- and anyone who has a jones for Yale's Skull and Bones will get off on this movie. I'd probably wait till its on DVD, though.

Wow, I'd STRONGLY disagree with that point. I do want to see this, but might not get the chance.

 

[arthurracoon]

Wow, I'd STRONGLY disagree with that point.

I would have to agree with you

 

[Brian in Mesa]

The Good Shepherd

Release Date: December 22, 2006
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Robert De Niro
Screenwriter: Eric Roth
Genre: Espionage Drama, Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for some violence, sexuality and language)
Website: The Good Shepherd

Starring: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, William Hurt, John Turturro, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon, Gabriel Macht, Tammy Blanchard, Vladimir Mashkov, Joe Pesci

Plot Summary: The tumultuous early history of the Central Intelligence Agency is viewed through the prism of one man's life in "The Good Shepherd," an espionage drama starring Academy Award® winners Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie and Robert De Niro and directed by Robert De Niro.

Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) understands the value of secrecy-discretion and commitment to honor have been embedded in him since childhood. As an eager, optimistic student at Yale, he is recruited to join the secret society Skull and Bones, a brotherhood and breeding ground for future world leaders. Wilson's acute mind, spotless reputation and sincere belief in American values render him a prime candidate for a career in intelligence, and he is soon recruited to work for the OSS (the precursor to the CIA) during WWII.

As one of the covert founders of the CIA, working in the heart of an organization where duplicity is required and nothing is taken at face value, Edward's' idealism is steadily eroded by a growing suspicious nature, reflective of a world settling into the long paranoia of the Cold War. As his methods are adopted as standard operating procedure, Wilson develops into one of the Agency's veteran operatives, all the while combating his KGB counterpart. However, his steely dedication to his country comes at an ever-increasing price. Not even his wife Clover (Angelina Jolie) or his beloved son can divert Wilson from a path that will force him to sacrifice everything in pursuit of this job.

"The Good Shepherd" is directed by Robert De Niro, written by Eric Roth and produced by Morgan Creek's James G. Robinson and Tribeca Productions' Jane Rosenthal and Robert De Niro. Universal Pictures distributes domestically, with Morgan Creek handling foreign distribution.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I recently watched this one. Like was mentioned above, it was a bit long. It was also pretty complicated and they tend to talk quietly during some important scenes, so it requires a lot of close attention. I really liked it and will probably watch it again someday. I thought it was very well done and the acting was excellent.

I was stunned when I read this in the IMDB trivia section:

Joe Pesci's first movie within 8 years.

I wonder what he's been up to.