Good Shepherd

Review 1 of 6

RankyPanky writes:

3of 4 Stars

This is a good movie, but one that fails to shed any new light on the machinations of the cloak and dagger spy world. Matt Damon is OK as the dutiful patriot who sacrifices his personal happiness for the good of his country although his on screen aging is not convincing. Angelina Jolie is good as his ignored wife, although her attraction to Damon's character is ill defined making it difficult to comprehend the risk she took to be with him. The movie does not really reveal anything new about the workings of the CIA, it only reinforces the negative stereotypes that one would have of this clandestine agency and the notion of parents eating their own children. The best roles and performances belong to Michael Gambon as a would be master spy mentor and to Billy Crudup as the cool and calculating British agent counterpart to Matt Damon. A passable spy flick but only just.

Jun 23, 2007 18:18:44

Review 2 of 6

Messiah91 writes:

3of 4 Stars

In the spirit of using old quotes to describe new things, I'm offering one up to describe Robert De Niro's latest assured picture: the taciturn spy epic The Good Shepherd: "the kid's alright". Now you may be wondering why it is that I find the movie merely above average, instead of the sort of maniacle raving I usually reserve for Bill Condon musicals and Tim Burton films. The answer is a strange one because what I find to be the movie's biggest weakness is also, to me, it's most appealing feature. That being its secrets, its shadows, and it's wholly complete inability to reveal much of anything at all except in whispers.

Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) believed in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Maybe that's why he chose to become one of the few building blocks for the modern day CIA. Or maybe it's because he was dissapointed in his domestic life (his dissapontment being of course the by product of some other unknown event in his life). Or maybe it's simply a dramatic device. Whatever the cause it inspires alot of shadowy dealings with shadowy men while all the time events are spiraling about unseen and untold for most of the movie, or in some cases forever.

Now, what makes the above sound alot less like homework is the acting. Matt Damon turns in a killer performance as a man locked up (for what appears, no reason) inside his own head. In addition Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, William Hurt, Billy Crudup, and Robert De Niro himself all show up to alleviate, englighten, or in some cases muddle the already broken plot. What ultimately emerges though is a picture of the USA at war with itself and at war with nothing. Playing with shadows if you would and watching it all happen has a perverse, entrancing (though not enthralling) charm. The problem is that it all ends up being tantamount to dancing in the shadows with nary a hope of seeing the light.

Mar 3, 2007 15:16:11

Review 3 of 6

Brastacks writes:

2of 4 Stars

OK this is slow moving film about moles and cut throat espionage. The film only shirts around the torture and criminal activity engaged in by the CIA. If the American public only knew how agressive the CIA was and all of their failed missions in Central and South America really were.The film is OK for the critical eye but main stream McDonald type Americans, have not the patience or brainpower to appreciate this movie-

Feb 18, 2007 01:39:33

Review 4 of 6

petertraversfanboy writes:

2of 4 Stars

Well,let me begin by saying: after reading some of the other movie reviews by the "Rolling Stone" fans, one reviewed that Matt Damon is a boring actor. I wouldn't neccessarly call him a boring actor. I would say either DeNiro doesn't know how to use him or Damon isn't fit for this part. When I first read about "The Good Shepherd" in Peter Travers' Fall Movie Preview, I could not wait. An old school spy film written by Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump," "The Insider," "Ali," "Munich"), shot by Robert Richardson ("Kill Bill," "Casino," "The Doors," Natural Born Killer," "The Aviator"), executive produced by Francis Ford Coppola ("The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," "The Outsiders"), directed by Robert DeNiro and supplied with an all-star cast including, Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert DeNiro, Billy Crudup, Alec Baldwin, John Turturro and Jot "WHERE THE FUCK HAVE YOU BEEN" Pesci. And speaking of Pesci, even though he only has one scene in the film, you walk away happy that at least one thing went right in this dissapointment of the year. Me personally, I didn't really enjoy myself. The film has an intelligent story, but shows not one iota of intelligence in the screenplay now how the hell does that happen? From what I hear, the two main characters of the year's best film, "The Departed" moved on to ruin their high rollercoaster that continued to go up by doing each a movie afterwards and the coaster came tumbling down to rock bottom. Now, I haven't seen "Blood Diamond" just yet, but I can tell you this: this isn't at all the movie Damon needed to do right after "The Departed." And he was doing so good with the two "Bourne" flicks and then last year's blockbuster that busted balls and entertained at the same time, "Syriana." And I'm going to end this review how Mr. Travers ended the "X3" review about a certain sexual scene that gets the blood flowin'. When Damon is sitting by the fire outdoors with Mrs. Jolie and then ends up sticking his cock in her with an intense scene that almost saves the film (probably not). Plus, seeing Damon's son's fiancee getting thrown out of a plane thousands of feet in the air. That was cool. But for thoughs who haven't seen the film, I'm not sick, she has it coming to her from the very beginning with the opening titles. Now, this will probably be the last review by me for the 2006 film's for now, so with that being said, I'm going to name my top 5 of 2006. 1. "The Departed" 2. "Babel" 3. "United 93" 4. "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' 5. Little Miss Sunshine.

Jan 6, 2007 13:52:23

Review 5 of 6

taoofmichael writes:

1of 4 Stars

Is anyone going to say it? Matt Damon is a boring actor. He can't be compared to Deniro's internal acting style. There is nothing there under the surface. Throughout this whole movie, we have no idea what this character is about. Nor do we care. And Angelina, the only thing I want to watch her do is undress. Don't talk -- please. Her god-awful posturing, stilted delivery -- its boring. Tomb Raider, Sky Captain, now this. And don't bring up that Oscar thing. Did you actually see Girl Interrupted? Britney Murphy played way better crazy girl in Dont Say A Word. I am not arguing that Britney Murphy is a great actor, but she is better than Angelina Jolie. The whole movie was awful -- Billy Crudup's horrible accent, and the dull domestic story that kept getting in the way of what might have been an exciting CIA expose with a point. This movie goes into the category that is growing larger and larger these days: movies with good budgets, some talent, and a basic idea that really could have been good, that sell out to star posturing. Why are we still watching movies with Matt Damon in them? And yes Angelina is good looking, but I have to think there are some good looking women out there who can act. I will never go to another movie that has Matt Damon or Angelina Jolie. I've been burned way too many times.

Jan 5, 2007 15:07:45

Review 6 of 6

beforedawn writes:

3of 4 Stars

The good shepherd stands with no doubt as a solid production. Its carefully crafted plot is effective in conveing the captivating experience of Edward Wilson (Matt Damon), as he embarks on a path of no return. Through his experience, the film traces the obscure birth of the CIA.
From my personal experiences living internationally and several chances afforded to me to speak with former CIA officers, I have developed a skeptical view of its operations and a non-romantic 007 view of the officers' lives. While it presented their operations as often critical to the international balance and the standing of the U.S. in the world, the film portrays Edward Wilson's experience in a remarkably realistic and somber manner.
before-dawn.blogspot.com

Dec 28, 2006 23:00:28