As an agency whose usefulness has long provided fire to its critics, the CIA is a more or less a mystery—an entity answerable only to people who have no interest publicizing its successes of failures. True, they have a web site, but that does not illuminate even the basic function of this covert organization. Maybe we’re all better off not knowing how the trains run on schedule, only that they do.
The Good Shepherd, a film loosely based on the career of James Angleton a counterintelligence operative, does not examine the efficacy of the CIA either. Nor does it glamorize the mission or work. This film is not about cloak dagger or spy games. Good Shepherd does paint a harrowing picture caused by a lifetime spent serving the agency. If the experiences of the character Edward Wilson are rooted even part in fact, his story is a tortured one, indeed.
It’s a long film, close to the three hour mark. It’s littered with moments of quality drama. There’s a rich narrative, though perhaps a bit dense given the non linear plot structure.
What works about Good Shepherd:
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A very complicated set of characters and back story in an entertaining package.
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Cast is top shelf all the way across. Every key actor performs well.
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Direction. More films by Robert De Niro!
Areas of improvement:
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Very Godfather II esque vibe. Perhaps a result of Francis Ford Coppola’s involvement, several scenes draft too far into that well for my taste.
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Story arc. Two minor conflicts could have been expanded to major plot points, and buoyed the pace.
Verdict: Matinee, or DVD rental.