IMDb >
The Good Shepherd (2006)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsThe Good Shepherd (2006) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 92 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 11 NEW) |
          |
|
Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
22 DECEMBER 2006 (USA) moreTagline:
Edward Wilson believed in America, and he would sacrifice everything he loved to protect it. morePlot:
The tumultuous early history of the Central Intelligence Agency is viewed through the prism of one man's life. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win & 6 nominations moreUser Comments:
Finally a film that doesn't assume you're an idiot more (452 total)Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) more
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for some violence, sexuality and language.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
167 min | Russia:139 min (cut version)Country:
USAColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 moreCertification:
Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #43094) | Ireland:15A | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:M18 | Portugal:M/12 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Argentina:13 | Italy:T | South Korea:18 | Germany:12 | Australia:M | New Zealand:M | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Malaysia:18PL | Sweden:15 | Norway:15 | Denmark:15 | Netherlands:16 | Malaysia:U (DVD) | Brazil:14 | Iceland:12Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Matt Damon's character, Edward Wilson, is partly based upon the founder of the CIA's counterintelligence operations, James Jesus Angelton. moreGoofs:
Miscellaneous: The last word in the phrase "We certify that this is" on the Gaim Swiss Bank check (right after Wilson asks Murack to reveal information about Philip Allen) is incorrectly spelled as "ia". moreSoundtrack:
Night and Day moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (452 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Good Shepherd (2006) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Hollywoodland | Watchmen | The Godfather | The Black Dahlia | Don't Look Now |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |
After enduring trailer after trailer with endless stings of explosions, ridiculous CG-assisted stunts and mindless action, I felt very rewarded with an intelligent and intriguing film that defies the status quo of bigger and louder is better.
The Good Sheperd doesn't insult your intelligence, it stimulates it, sometimes confuses it, and forces you to look several layers beneath the surface. It feels like a throwback to another era of films when the complexity of a character was of greater importance than spectacle.
De Niro took a page from his producer's best work, Francis Ford Coppola, emulating films like The Godfather, The Conversation and Apacalypse Now. The drama rises not from the usual blatant conventional devices but rather by raising questions because of what we're not told and not shown. It requires a great deal of courage to use this style as films have gravitated more and more toward assuming the average moviegoer is of substandard intelligence. The scope of the film is enormous, yet the point of view is narrowly focused to be seen through the eyes of one man. There are a dozen of subplots, but all are carefully tied into the through-line of the story to match the main character's progression.
The film may require some understanding of American history from WWII through the Kennedy administration. It starts with the later years of the story, The Bay of Pigs debacle, and traces the steps that lead to it, one of the more embarrassing moments in the history of U.S. foreign policy. I found it a bit annoying that Matt Damon's character, Edward Wilson, barely seemed to age in the film while others around him did (the best way to determine his age is whether he's wearing wire-rimmed or horn-rimmed glasses), but it didn't ruin the film for me.
Overall though, definitely one of the best films of 2006. A rare film that makes you want to think and understand, rather than forget.