MOVIE: THE GOOD SHEPHERD [2006]

REVIEW# 56
MOVIE: THE GOOD SHEPHERD [2006]
Genre: Drama/Thriller
Cast: Matt Damon,Angelina Jolie,Robert De Niro,Alec Baldwin
Director : Robert De Niro !!
IMDb rating: 6.7/10
Deeps rating: 6.5/10
Verdict: Well-crafted and well made.But too heavy plot and lengthy.

         The movie is all about the life of a spy and his patriotism which conflicts with his family life and love for his son.A person who chooses himself to serve the nation as a spy is meant only for it.He is deprived of any kind of love,affection,kindness and even his self conscience.It's all about his country and its security and no wonder many crack in the end.After all life means a lot more than patriotism alone as we are responsible towards our family and friends too.Too much commitment towards anything will bring you disappointment in the end.

           The movie loosely tells you about the birth of counter-intelligence in CIA.The movie starts off with an audio recording which was send to Edward Wilson[Matt Damon],a senior CIA officer.The place and purpose of the recording stays a mystery till the end of the movie.The plot of the movie is set back during the second world war and the after war with Russsia called the 'Cold War'.With both countries trying to take supremacy in the world, intelligence work and spying became very active and they were men like Edward on both sides who were ready to dedicate  their whole life towards national security.For them family was a burden and for their family it was all about pain and patience.

Edward who happens to meet Margaret Clover[Angelina Jolie] in a party and she seduces him  that night.At the same party he meets General Bill Sullivan[Robert De Niro],who recruits him to OSS[a secret service],and thus this party changes the life of Edward upside down.Clover becomes pregnant and Edward is forced to marry her and the same day of his marriage he receives his letter for his overseas appointment.Clover gives birth to a boy but Edward who has committed his life for CIA has to stay away for 6 years before he meets his boy.

         As time pass by Edward's son,Edward Jr. makes the decision to join CIA to earn his fathers respect.This makes Clover upset and an already broken life of Clover gets more painful.Edward try to persuade his son against this decision but his decision doesn't change.Finally when the mystery of the audio tape unfolds in the movie we find that it's about his son who has fallen in a love trap with a Russian spy.Edward for whom patriotism is the only feeling he understands,finds himself in a dilemma as he has to compromise with the Russians now to keep his son alive!!!!
      The movie is too long ,as the narration will drag you in between.Different ages of Edwards and his assignments keeps you confused throughout.But Robert De Niro has crafted the movie well to keep the suspense alive till the last frame.Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie excels as Edward and Clover.This movie is not everyone's cup of tea.If you like complex spy movies during Cold War era then you can give a try.

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TIP OF THE DAY: YOU ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE TOWARDS YOUR FAMILY.