This is a must see movie for those interested in the OSS's evolution into what is now the CIA.

Rating: 8/10 (29 December 2006)

Having read a lot of historical material on the evolution of the OSS into today's CIA, the movie was great in making history come alive in the persona's of the movie characters. The attention to detail, especially in the dress, decorum and personality of the main characters helped those of us just a tad to young to remember them when they were in the news. Matt Damon's performance was so intense you believe he spent hours reviewing old footage to perfect the mannerism of his character. At three hours in length, you don't feel the movie ever really drags because each different sequence builds upon the others to give you a comprehensive understanding of the era. If you don't understand the intense concerns and apprehension of the people living in working in this era then you can't grasp the seriousness that the main characters project in every detail of their lives. This is a movie for history buffs and a movie for OSS/CIA story buffs. This is helpful to understand the focus and resolve the character's are hyper-motivated by. These were frightening times for American's and especially for those who were in positions of influence. Information is the commodity and all the key player nations are in the market. For me this movie transported me to that time and reflected the drive and information and the need for an agency to take it all in and process it into that which is relevant and that which could be. It was the time period for the "space age leap" for those into spy trade-craft and the movie fully develops the events that brought it about. It does it in an intriguing manner that has you following every move without distraction.
The one area the movie falls somewhat short in is that of accoustics. In some of the crucial lines spoken by the characters, many audience members had trouble hearing some of the dialog that you must here to understand crucial aspects of the plots. Get a good seat where you are near a speaker and listen carefully to the quieter lines. If you have to leave your seat, try to have someone ready to bring you up to speed on what you've missed so you can stay abreast of rapidly developing situations. Pay close attention once the main players start to inter-act so you remember who each person is and what their function's supposed to be.
If this is an era or subject your interested in and you listen carefully and keep up with the players as they are developed, you won't be disappointed. It's a fast faced movie with intricate sequences. The actors/actresses play their roles so well you start to believe your flashing back to that critical time in history and get to watch a fledge-ling government agency evolve at a pace set by the nervousness and paranoia of the period. When you leave you understand some of the earlier admonishments given by the older characters to their young successors. It is a riveting movie that doesn't disappoint the viewer if they stay on tract as it develops. When it's over you'll not only understand why the CIA is what is is today but you will understand an entire generation and the aspects of what shaped that generation; good and bad. It is an awesome production that is perfectly cast to provide the viewer a great movie. If you have interest in any or this criteria, this is a must see movie!