" What do you call a group of retarded Children, born of 1st Cousins ? "

Rating: 9/10 (6 November 2009)

Anyone interested in learning the origins of the infamous C.I.A. this movie would be a good beginning. The film, by and large is a superficial, albeit, a glorified version of the creation of the nation's spy agency. Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is a quiet, but introspective student at prestigious Yale University, when, due to him being white, male and confirmed breeding, is sought out for membership in the secretive, nefarious and primarily bigoted organization called 'Skull and Bones. ' This eventually leads to being further recruited into the pre-cursor of the CIA with the creation of the military's Office of Strategic Services or O.S.S. The secretive agency is established to clandestinely gather information on enemy countries, individuals, liberal groups and thereafter to serve as a covert Counter-Intelligence agency abroad and when necessary, in the U.S. Wilson becomes a dedicated agent who willingly sacrifices his private life, emotional ties and even his own son to achieve specific goals. Though the movie is difficult to follow both story and characters played brilliantly by Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, Robert De Niro, Keir Dullea, Michael Gambon and William Hurt attest to it's success. A fine film destined to achieve Classic Status. ****