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Abhorrent
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Disturbing
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Acceptable
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Wholesome
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Exemplary
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VA
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For viewers of all ages
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V13
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For viewers age 13 and below with parental guidance
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V14
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For viewers 14 and above
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V18
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For mature viewers 18 and above
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NP
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Not for public viewing
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Title:
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THE GOOD SHEPHERD |
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Running Time:
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167 mins
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Lead Cast:
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Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert de Niro, Alec Baldwin, Tammy Blanchard
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Directors:
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Robert de Niro, Francis Ford Coppola
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Producer:
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Screenwriters:
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Eric Roth, Philip Kaufman
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Music:
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Editor:
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Tariq Anwar
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Genre:
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Drama/Romance/Thriller
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Cinematography:
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Distributor:
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Universal Pictures.
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Location:
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New York, USA, Europe, Honduras, England, Africa
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Technical Assessment:
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Moral Assessment:
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CINEMA Rating:
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For mature viewers18 and above
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The film begins in 1961 where Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is seen to have the makings of an intelligence officer with a cunning attention to detail. Edward then witnesses the failure of an invasion plot and he suspects that there is a spy among them. Then a photograph and a film tape are dropped off at his place anonymously. Edward can not identify the persons in the photo and the film so he turns them over to his department for further examination. The said photograph later reveals a shocking truth that would test Edward’s loyalty between his chosen profession and his family. Edward’s life is then shown in series of flashbacks to define his personality, history and affairs of the heart.
The Good Shepherd is an epic saga of the untold story behind the CIA. However, the movie distracts its viewers from time to time as to what the central conflict really is (or is there any?). The story drags at the middle without any rousing action at all. Although there are some riveting scenes, the film remains entirely at level without much at stake to the character. Here is a main character depicted to be clever and cold, emotionless and secretive yet in his giving-off moments, he still appears to be uninteresting. Matt Damon was able to pull it off though and is very effective in such a doormat character. Angelina Jolie seems to be miscast in a role of a forgiving and suffering wife. In this ensemble, Robert de Niro succeeds in putting together different characters that connect through related events and places. Production design is intricate and the entire art direction is commendable.
Trust no one. This is the central theme of this historical-spy movie that depicts the lives of the men behind one of the most powerful intelligence agencies in the world. But how is it really to live in a world of dark secrets? The film leaves us with this question rather than answers in the end. The Good Shepherd tells us that in a world of lies, cheats and deceits, the one who survives is the one who trusts less, loves less and lives less. “Get out while you still have a soul…” so goes one of the most memorable lines in film. Consequently, the main character chooses to stay, and through symbolisms it becomes apparent that Edward is not able to move on and is trapped and alone in his own world of secrecy. With that, the audience is left with something to ponder on. Due to its sensitive subject matter, scenes of nudity and depiction of sexuality The Good Shepherd is appropriate only for a mature audience.
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(Date Reviewed: 09 March 2007)
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