The early history of the Central Intelligence Agency is viewed through one man's life in The Good Shepherd. Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) understands the value of secrecy-discretion and commitment to honor have been embedded in him since childhood. As a student at Yale, he is recruited to join the secret society Skull and Bones, a brotherhood and breeding ground for future world leaders. As one of the covert founders of the CIA, Edward's' idealism is steadily eroded by a growing suspicious nature, reflective of a world settling into the long paranoia of the Cold War. However, his steely dedication to his country comes at an ever-increasing price. Not even his wife Clover (Angelina Jolie) or his beloved son can divert Wilson from a path that will force him to sacrifice everything in pursuit of this job.
Before saying anything about what I (or movie going life partner Wonder Woman and special guest The Good German . . . not the movie - the man, people!) thought about the movie, I must give the warning that this movie is 2 hours and40 minutes long. That kind of a running time can float for the Lord Of The Rings, Titanics, and Harry Potters of the world, but outside of those kind of mega movies a running time like that can kill a movie . . . . . not to mention your a$$ and back. The running time didn't kill this movie by any means, but it definitely hurt it. The movie was actually pretty good. It was interesting to watch everyone completely not trusting each other. I thought that Matt Damon actually did a really great job and was by far and away the most emotionless person I've ever seen.
The movie did a good job of showing how the CIA evolved. The only thing that really held this movie back from total greatness was that kept jumping back and forth between the 40s and the 60s at inopportune times. You would finally start following what was going on in the 60s and they would take you back and your head would have to play catch up again.
I would recommend readers checking this one out. It's wasn't a rush to theaters type movie, but it's worth the rental fee and the running time will give you ample time to take advantage of the the pause button for bathroom trips and what not.
