Good Shepard. Good Movie.

Rating: 8/10 (15 March 2016)

The Good Shepherd (2006): Dir: Robert De Niro / Cast: Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Michael Gambon, Alec Baldwin, Robert De Niro: Insightful view of the C.I.A. and in particular one's view of right and wrong. Matt Damon plays Edward Wilson who as a boy witness his father's suicide. He become involved in the C.I.A. where his work would distance him from his wife and son. This is perhaps the film's one flaw for his son grows older with no indication of time. Robert De Niro directs giving viewers indication that this line of work is both time consuming and secretive. Damon plays off the secrecy and his family distance, which leads to an affair. Problem is that he doesn't age well with the 1939-1961 time frame. Angelina Jolie plays his frustrated wife with great conviction. Great supporting work by Michael Gambon as a professor whom Damon is ordered to expose as a Nazi. Gambon plays off the targeted victim trying to prepare for what he cannot predict. Alec Baldwin plays one of Damon's contacts who assigns him to unforeseen danger. There is other great talent in this film but they are merely appearances as oppose to broad roles. The film carries an interesting tag line that regards loyalty and whether one can sacrifice his family and freedom for his country. Does being a good shepherd carry a price that one cannot afford to pay? Score: 8 Â½ / 10