A nice pace that is slow, dry and complex that fits the story of espionage & counter intelligence

Rating: 8/10 (5 December 2007)

Very different than "The FBI Story" with James Stewart, but of course this is not a PR movie about or for the CIA. Counter intelligence is a dirty and dark business testing and affecting those engaged in it. The story captures this "darkness" and the "political" intrigue with it's dry pace and flashbacks and with some interesting sub plots that give it suspense and drama. There are no crazy inappropriate action scenes to spoil the thematic point. Although this movie gives a glimpse on the beginning of the CIA and what it will become the story is really about one man's journey into the CIA from it's start and portrayed with critical pieces shown of his life as the "Good Shepherd" and how he becomes woven into it. We follow with him and begin to see and understand how it fits for him but with a price but also like him we too never really get close to the other characters in his life because he cannot either and this feeling of emptiness becomes our struggle and disappointment just as it his. The story brings us closer to appreciate family at the end but is it too late for us along with him to appreciate it. Some things in life require sacrifice or is this price too high for some but not others? Duty, loyalty and responsibility are things that potentially restrains affection and love ...or is there hope that it is never too late?