Excellent spy drama has plenty of intrigue and a great cast.

Rating: 9/10 (11 October 2007)

Edward Wilson (Oscar-Winner:Matt Damon) believes in America and certainly having safety of his country. Edward thinks back in his days in College as a young man, being a member of "Skulls & Bones" at Yale and his first true love (Tammy Blanchard). Edward is been asked to spy on his college professor (Michael Gambon) from a FBI Agent (Alec Baldwin). Since his professor is a supporter for the Nazis. Edward does his undercover work well. After he graduated from Yale, he's asked to be a spy in Europe and represent a young official U.S. Gouverment Agent as well for the "Office & Strategic Services". But before he was send to Europe, he had a one-night stand with a woman (Oscar-Winner:Angelina Jolie) and she becomes pregnant. Which he was forced to marry her and leaving the true love of his life. When Edward is been sent home after World War 2, which he was there living in Europe for six years. Which he finally meets his son Edward Jr. (Tommy Nelson) and trying to make his relationship work his wife. Now Edward is working in the United States for the Central Intelligence Angecy (CIA). Which he's one of the covert founders of the CIA. But Edward's once idealism turns dark for him, when everyone he knows seems to be keeping secrets from him. He can't trust anymore including those are close to him. Now he has to watch out for his son, which he's now an older young man (Eddie Redmayne). Which Edward Jr. wants to follow his father footsteps and he falls in love with a mysterious woman (Liya Kebede), who's also a spy but working in opposite sides. Which Edward has to think what is best for his family and for business as well.
Directed by Oscar-Winner:Robert De Niro (A Bronx Tale) made an fascinating film about espionage, family, betrayed and the safety of America. Damon is excellent in his performance, which one's of his best roles to date. De Niro has a great eye for his cast of characters including John Turturro, Oscar-Winner:William Hurt, Keir Dullea, Oscar-Winner:Timothy Hutton, Oscar-Winner:Joe Pesci and more. De Niro shows that he could be a great filmmaker as well being an great role. De Niro has a small supporting roles in the film as well. His second film is actually fast-paced for a picture that is over 2 hours and 40 minutes. He has a well chosen cast to play great characters in the movie and the premise is quite powerful. Some critics are calling this "The Godfather" of CIA Movies and they are probably right as well.
DVD has an sharp anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1) transfer and an good Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD's only feature is the Deleted Scenes of the film, which they are just as interesting as the final cut of the movie. I would have loved to listen to a filmmaker's commentary or watching behind the scenes footage. But that's probably for a future DVD release. Since this picture is a fictional story but it is actually heavily based on fact. This is about a man, who's believes in the safety of his country, he's willing to scarified everything including his family and his own life to keep it safe. Since this film was a box office disappointment, despite being well received by the critics. It is the kind of movie that plays well on DVD. Don't miss one of the best films as 2006. This film received Oscar Nomination for Best Art Direction. Written by Oscar-Winner:Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Insider, Munich). Super 35. (**** 1/2 out of *****).