The Good Shepherd

Jmac:

Ok let me preface this review with the thought that while in today’s times the CIA is looked at as a great evil. I would challenge this with the notion that while they do not carry out the most savory of tasks the men and women that work their do it for the greater good, and while they are in the spotlight, at this point in time the CIA is almost a puppet of the executive branch because their jobs depend on it... whether Republican or Democrat, and while Congress holds the power of the purse, the CIA’s budget is still black and Congress votes on it essentially blind.... if you have a dispute with them take it up with the executive branch... the vast majority of the CIA wants only to provide their country and their countries leaders with up to date and adequate assessments of the world today... they would rather leave politics out of the equation............ sadly we live in the real world.

Alright now on to the movie review.

While I love the subject matter (the beginnings of the CIA into the 60s) I still watch it sometimes to go to sleep, but please don't let that take anything away from it. While it is a slow movie, I was enthralled the first few times I watched it, and it continues to hold up. I totally recommend watching this movie at least once.

The story follows Matt Damon’s character through his recruitment in grad school to his case officership after the Bay of Pigs, with intrigue and trills throughout. Many believe this character is based around famed spy and traitor catcher James Jesus Angleton.

While there is plenty of literary license used, and this should in no way be seen as an actual history of the early years of the CIA (note to lazy social studies teachers.... plus there is nudity). The movie was however assisted by the CIA’s own history department and while not totally historical, it has plenty of real people in it and actual historical events.

One of the main stories follows not the history of the Agency, but the story of a father and a son, which we all know can be strained at times, even when both are giving their all..... such is the nature of male interactions.

The costume department and the sound department did amazing jobs in this movie. So amazing in fact that I know my grandpa still has the same gray and black coat that Damon wears, from his days in the FBI. Its sad that our intel and crime fighting agencies no longer wear three piece suits and hats. Now-a-days only douche hipsters that used to be goths that are looking for some place to call their own can really wear fedoras and suits....... America has truly lost its sense of style and dignity.... but I blame the dignity on the partisanship, shame on people trying to divide us.

Anyway the movie addresses plenty of Cold War scenarios, from LSD interrogations, strained family relations from spending too long away, even Santa Claus frightening you because your father was never around, to agents body parts being sent to you because they let loose too much information about themselves.

All In all, I really don't want to give away any spoilers on this one because frankly that's what really holds the movie together for those that don't love the subject matter. So please watch this movie and don't use it or any other news articles to judge the people that currently work for the CIA. No matter what party is currently in control, they really have your best interests at heart.

I give The Good Shepherd 3.8 whispered secrets out of 5.