The Good Shepherd (HD DVD, 2007, HD DVD/Standard Combo)

Robert De Niro's cinamatic view of the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency. De Niro creates a tone of somber determination, creative characters, and engaging plot. One thing it could have used more of was action and a bit more suspense, but overall a great movie.

"I remember a senator once asked me. When we talk about "CIA" why we never use the word "the" in front of it. And I asked him, do you put the word "the" in front of "God"?"

- Richard Hayes (Lee Pace)

After 12 years, three directors, numerous production companies, and principal casting changes—the Eric Roth screenplay (which was loosely based) on the origins of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) finally reached the big screen.

Directed and Produced by Robert De Niro, The Good Shephard is a far cry from today’s high impact, fast paced, and explosive espionage cinematic division—as De Niro’s approach was more “muted,” as back in the 50’s and 60’s, it was “a gentleman’s game.”

The film is seen through the eyes of Edward Wilson (Matt Damon)—a role loosely based in part on James Jesus Angleton and Richard M. Bissell, Jr.—from his accession from the ranks of Skull and Bones (“a secret society that grooms future leaders in the United States of America”) in Yale University to the head of the CIA’s Counter-Intelligence Division.

De Niro’s passion was evident in the director’s chair. Damon’s portrayal of Wilson was infallible. A long line of seasoned actors took extensive salary cuts for an opportunity to be a part of The Good Shephard—Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, William Hurt, Alec Baldwin, Robert De Niro, Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon, Timothy Hutton, John Turturro, and 63 year-old Joe Pesci who returned to the silver screen after eight long years (he was last seen in Richard Donner’s Lethal Weapon 4).

It’s a long and somewhat interesting movie. (Film critiques were less subtle eluding that it had “a slow pulse…uneventful…and generally confusing movie.”)

A generally confusing movie.

Just don’t miss any parts…you may get lost.