Director: Robert De Niro
Starring: Robert De Niro, Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors which achieved fame several years ago are as beloved as Robert De Niro. Since his rise to stardom in the 1970’s, De Niro has become a legendary icon. Whether it’s raging boxers, taxi drivers or frightening gangsters, De Niro has portrayed several memorable characters. Arguably, De Niro’s finest strength as an actor has often been his approach of method acting. He’s one of those rare actors that has always poured both his heart and soul in every single role. An actor with an intense commitment to his craft, De Niro has become a world-famous icon in entertainment. Shining a bright light in darkness, the actor has become a legend in the entertainment business. Through his ability to portray larger than life characters which are compelling, De Niro has created a legacy that’s lasting. Throughout his career, De Niro has starred in countless memorable movies which are definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of De Niro and adore all the movies he has made in his career. However, “The Good Shepherd” is definitely his most underrated. Released back in 2006, Robert De Niro’s most underrated movie offered an engaging portrait of bold spies. Packed with breathtaking production, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about espionage. At centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Robert De Niro, who portrays an agent that faces sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “The Good Shepherd” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most espionage movies, the movie tackle themes everyone would relate to. An exhilarating espionage masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “The Good Shepherd” is a commemorated movie worth watching.
Based on true events, “The Good Shepherd” tells the story of a CIA agent that witnesses events in history. Matt Damon plays Edward Wilson, a CIA Agent with a strong dedication to profession. Wilson is a moral upright man that has always believed in the importances of being doing the right thing. However, his life drastically changed discovering corrupt practices in the CIA causing disaster. Faced with responsibility of answering towards his superior Bill Sullivan (Robert De Niro), Ed is forced to question whether it’s possible for him to become a hero. Faced with a painful price to pay, Edward questions whether it’s possible for him to truly become successful in the CIA.
Robert De Niro is fascinated with the lives of grieving men facing sorrow. A phenomenal filmmaker, De Niro has often created great movies about emotional men facing sorrow. With “The Good Shepherd”, however, De Niro made his first espionage film. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture tension faced by spies in CIA history but he pulled it off effectively. Using bold cinematography, De Niro captures CIA agents embarking on a journey to find their identity. Evoking Doug Liman’s “The Bourne Identity”, De Niro uses montages to capture the tensions spies are facing. For instance, montages enhance the spies research scene. During this engaging scene, Edward conducts research of spies causing tension. Using stunning montages, De Niro captures the tensions which agents are facing. Montages are tricky techniques. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” claimed, montages enhance gangster movies. That being said, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, De Niro captures tensions that espionage agents are often facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Good Shepherd” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale”, De Niro uses costumes to capture tensions which spies are enduring. Throughout the movie, Edward’s costumes showcase his personal life as a CIA agent. For instance, costumes elevate the spy meeting scene. During this intense scene, Edward has a meeting with CIA agents that causes tension. Through stunning costumes, De Niro constructs a portrait of CIA agents which is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Bruce Fowler’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie atmosphere capturing the burden that CIA agents often bear. Through stunning production, De Niro captures CIA agents that experience intense tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Good Shepherd” is a film about CIA that’s compelling. The film is exceptionally written, and effectively uses monologues to capture tensions that CIA agents are facing. Evoking Oliver Stone’s “JFK”, De Niro deftly uses dramatic monologues to capture the tensions faced by members of the CIA. For instance, monologues elevate the speech scene. During this memorable scene, Ed delivers a rousing speech demonstrating his political ideologies. Through monologues, De Niro creates a portrait of spies which audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Martin Brest’s “Scent of a Woman” proved, monologues enhance movies about blind elders. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, De Niro captures the lives of spies working for the CIA.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert De Niro delivers one of his best performances as Bill Sullivan. De Niro achieved appreciation for playing bold gangsters in classic crime dramas. With “The Good Shepherd”, however, he took upon his most complex role. It isn’t easy portraying a political figure working for the CIA, but he succeeds tremendously. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a political figure. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for De Niro, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Matt Damon is magnificent, capturing the dedication of an agent seeking to overcome obstacles in his profession. Angelina Jolie is amazing, and brings strong energy to a woman seeking to investigate the Central Intelligence Agency. Lastly, Joe Pesci merits appreciation. As an elderly CIA agent, he is unforgettable.
Finally, “The Good Shepherd” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the life of a shepherd. Unlike most movies about spies, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses bold themes including ambition, mental health and trauma which would resonate among everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the CIA’s history to appreciate the film. Therefore, “The Good Shepherd” is one of those rare espionage movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Robert De Niro would enjoy “The Good Shepherd” and so would audiences seeking exhilarating entertainment. A bold historical drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking movie about a CIA agent facing a painful price to pay, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a career by ability to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which are absolutely worth watching today.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 