| Overall Grade: |
B+ |
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| Story: |
B+ |
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| Acting: |
B |
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| Direction: |
B |
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| Visuals: |
B |
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Quality FIlm Too Much Information
by Jersey Joe (movies profile)
Nov 30, 2007
12
of
12 people found this review helpful
The Good Shepherd examines the world of spying from the World War II creation of the O.S.S. that evolved into the C.I.A. The examination is performed through the life of one man who was at the core of it all, Edward Wilson (Matt Damon).
Robert Deniro directs the film showing the developing intelligence apparatus of the U.S. and the toll being part of that development takes on Wilson and his family. Wilson's dilemma is in his attempt to serve two masters. To be truly effective as an intelligence operative, he must neglect his family while his attempts at making his personal life better undermine his effectiveness as an operative.
The problem I have with the film, isn't that at three hours it is very long, rather that it is not long enough. Imagine covering American intelligence from World War II to the Bay of Pigs in three hours while trying to include a personal story. Admittedly, I am a fan of history and politics so the three hours was not an issue. Some may lack the patience
the film requires.
The other problem in trying to tell such an involved story in only three hours is the time not spent with some more interesting characters. Alec Baldwin and William Hurt play characters that I would have liked to have seen more of.
Matt Damon is on screen nearly every minute of the film. This is necessary in creating a sense of mistrust of almost every other character. We as the audience don't know what's going without Damon. We are with him and nobody else. The film is very effective in this regard. It creates mystery and intrigue without being unneccesarily confusing.
Supporting performances are very good without being standout. Baldwin, Hurt, Billy Crudup, Keir Dulea and John Turturro all give reliably good performances. Deniro himself plays a pivotal role in the film. Angelina Jolie plays the neglected wife in standard fashion. Micahel Gambon's role is the one supporting performance that stands out.
I reccommend The Good Shepherd as an intelligent story well told. I think the film might have better served as a four to six hour miniseries on HBO where all the information could have been provided in a fuller context. |
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