The Good Sheppard [2006] -- Drama // Crime // CIA

[2010 review unedited: Too much editing]


Stars: 7.9 (really, it's probably like a 6.0)
Grade: C+/B-

Personally, I am heavily bias for this movie. As many of you might know, I'm a huge history buff when it comes to the CIA and the Cold War.

This film inherently is nothing profound and I think it over-reached its grasp with what it set out to accomplish. It often times convoluted, extremely slow, and always always forces you to rely on a host of history you (the audience) simply don't have. Despite that, it's still a fantastic film. The attention to detail (specifically history and props etc) is staggering. Even the lingo (although little dialogue) is time accurate.

If you go into this film WITH that historical background, technologically, politically, and cultural, the movie becomes a beautiful masterpiece into the world of the early CIA. I think one of the most jarring aspects of this film is the fact that it takes place at two completely separate junctures of time, which are incredibly difficult to differentiate between, due largely to the fact that the main actor (Matt Daemon) is seemingly ageless. Although they try to show the difference by clothing and attire and background, it's still incredibly difficult to follow the story lines. Often times you are playing catch up and filling in blanks, but the pieces don't fit together.

Although I am partial to these types of subtle (Tinker Tailor etc) CIA films, this one takes the cake. This is *NOT* Jason Bourne. Understanding the characters and the way they're acting is something I don't think a film when compared to a book can accomplish. The story and character's profoundly deep story lines become more evident each time you watch the film (I doubt anyone would get through it twice...let alone 4 like I have). I think the director failed in this aspect. It is NOT captivating and it is not profound the first time.

This is the type of film that unless you lived it, studied it, or you're high as balls and don't care, you just wont enjoy. Don't let me deter you, if you've got the mind for it by all means watch it... but with a grain of salt that it's more a character study than a dramatic story of the CIA.

This movie starts with the creation of the CIA (watch this documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pAmhsqqQqE) and ends just before the height of the cold war. The historical hints are so subtle (a news paper article, a passing character in the background, a picture on the wall) that the audience misses it. It's like trying to put all the nuanced pieces of 'There Will Be Blood' in context the first time. It's impossible, dull and isn't worth watching. That is the best paralle I can draw.

I think Daemon was well casted, as well his wife (who I believe becomes a cocaine addict in the 60s story line? It's not clear at all what goes wrong with that).

This is a realistic portrayal of espionage and concentrates more about the characters internal struggles than it does on high action bombs and explosions. There are few moments of tense conflict, but if you can look past the poorly thought out convoluted clusterfuck the move can be, it's actually fantastic.

I'd only recommend this movie to people with an interest for the history or who absolutely love character studies. This is the type of movie where if you haven't read the book, you're in the dark (I actually don't know if there is a book).

Still at the end of the day, this film is somehow still on my list of top 10 favorites.