Watch The Good Shepherd

In The Good Shepherd, Matt Damon plays Edward Wilson, a man who is recruited by the Skull and Bones society while studying at Yale University in 1939. The Skull and Bones society is a secret society that has been around for centuries and has played a significant role in the world's history. Edward Wilson is soon recruited by the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), pre-World War II, and this is how he gets involved in the world of espionage.

The movie follows Edward Wilson's journey as he takes on increasingly crucial positions within the OSS and later the CIA. We see him oversee the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, as well as the successful extraction of a Soviet defector. Throughout the movie, we see how the job takes its toll on Wilson as he becomes increasingly guarded with his family, particularly his wife (played by Angelina Jolie) and son.

Robert De Niro, who also directed the movie, plays Bill Sullivan, Wilson's superior at the CIA. Sullivan is a man who presents a paternal image to his subordinates, but we see as the movie progresses that he has a hidden agenda of his own, which puts him increasingly at odds with Wilson.

As Wilson's responsibilities grow, and he becomes more entrenched in his job, he distances himself from his family. His son grows up resentful of him, particularly as he saw how the job caused his mother to have a breakdown, and how his father was frequently absent. The tension between father and son culminates in one particularly dramatic scene, where the son confronts his father, and we see the culmination of years of resentment and misunderstanding.

The Good Shepherd is an intricate and complex movie that explores the cost of loyalty and the toll of secrecy. The movie spans several decades, and the production design is excellent, taking us from the early days of the OSS during World War II to the early days of the CIA during the 60s. One of the most intriguing things about the movie is how it blurs the lines between fact and fiction, particularly in its portrayal of the CIA's early days.

The cast is outstanding, with Matt Damon delivering a nuanced performance as a man who is increasingly isolated from his family and himself. Robert De Niro's direction is assured, and it's clear that he has put a lot of effort into crafting a movie that is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

The only weaknesses in the movie are its excessively long runtime and its somewhat meandering plot at times. Nevertheless, the movie rewards viewers who are willing to stick with it and are interested in history and politics.

Overall, The Good Shepherd is a fascinating and well-crafted movie that explores the hidden world of espionage and the cost of loyalty. It's an excellent showcase for both Matt Damon and Robert De Niro's talents, and it's definitely worth a watch for anyone interested in history, politics, or spy thrillers.

The Good Shepherd is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 61.