Film Review: The Good Shepherd (2006)

Many said that this film is a jumbled of confusing sequences which betrays its true purpose. I say, "you're not paying attention". In my opinion, eliminate Angelina Jolie, and this film would be perfect. Don't get me wrong, in this film, she delivers more acting capabilities than i had seen in years. But, taking a role where she was a lonely, and desperate housewife, she was too .. um, what word am i looking for? um .. voluptuous. Yes, voluptuous.

The backdrop of this film was 1961, around the event which later produced counter-intelligence in CIA. It's an ambitious story to tell, and Robert De Niro (director) give its due. The event in question was the Bay of Pigs debacle which at the time, was a highly classified mission with only a handful of highly placed CIA officers knew of its existence. But when, the mission failed, provided that there was a mole in the CIA, everyone's in a hot seat. Including our protagonist, Edward Wilson (Matt Damon).

Know this, if you had expected a full-throttle action spy-game a la James Bond or Jason Bourne, you're wrong. Our protagonist was an everyday man, driven to his work by his sense of patriotism. The Good Shepherd told in a flash-back sequences, back-and-forth narrative which introduces us to many-many characters intertwined with Wilson, and further introduced us to Wilson's character. We follow Wilson but not necessarily involved with him emotionally, since, as you may observed, he's not the most sympathetic individual that held the title of 'protagonist'. This was his journey through the emotionally and morality decisions. We follow him through a secret group initiation in Yale, his involvement with Clover (Jolie), OSS (Office of Strategic Services), his ascension of power, double-crosses, triple-crosses, it's a spy game at its best, CIA, and most heart-gripping of all (at least from my point of view) his 'duel' with his KGB counterpart, Ulysses.

The film runs long, almost three hours, it's a thriller, but a slow one. It could either results in two kind of reactions once the end-credit rolling. You quickly picked up your stuffs and leave the theater, or you sit a while contemplating the end scene in which Wilson walk to his new office, undoubtedly conceal his moral weight that had cost him a lot, and questioning whether his decision would made him happy or not. Which ironically something that his father all really wanted from him. To be happy with his decisions.

Aside of Matt Damon, this film also features many prominent names, Robert De Niro, Alec Baldwin, Joe Pesci, William Hurt and my personal favorite underrated actor, John Turturro.

Again, i've been using this word rather often lately, "This film is not for anyone". It's a slow burning thriller which would please a spy-game novel lover who valued conspiracy and double-triple-crossings more than bullet-dodging or bare-knuckled fights. But, it's almost three hours running time would be a drawback. Made sure you pay attention to details when you watch this movie. Cause after all, attention to details is what made a good spy.

My Rating: ***1/2 / ****