'The Most Boring, Tedious, Solemn, Self-Important Film Ever Made'
That's what this movie should have been called. 'Nuf said.
share[deleted]
MovieChat Forums > The Good Shepherd (2006) Discussion > 'The Most Boring, Tedious, Solemn, Self-...
Wait till you see the sequel.
shareI quote Geoff Andrew. Britain's finest film critic. He clearly agrees with the OP
___________
At one point in De Niro’s belated second directorial outing, CIA hotshot Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) tells old flame Laura (Tammy Blanchard) that his life, since leaving her for upper-crust beauty Clover (Angelina Jolie) years ago, has been full of surprises. For him, maybe, but not to anyone familiar with the ‘serious’ spy movie à la le Carré. As the often turgid tale of one man’s hugely successful but (inevitably) emotionally costly career lumbers along, all the conventions are feebly trotted out: childhood trauma; preppy connections made at Yale (complete with gay lit prof); shady but seductive approaches made by neatly raincoated men whispering purply allusive verbiage of the ‘crows fly at midnight’ variety; increasingly hard demands made on family life by patriotic duty; the widening of professional horizons from WW2 OSS activities to the imperialist global policies of the Cold War; and the predictably gradual soul-freezing consequences of a life in which trust is impossible.
Trouble is, despite one draggy foray into Gilbert and Sullivan, Wilson, as played by Damon, never had much soul in the first place. When Sgt Ray Brocco (John Turturro) arrives to serve as his assistant, he’s told the boss is a man with no discernible sense of humour – true also of this portentous, ponderous film, which seems to equate art and substance with solemnity and slow tempo; even an offscreen children’s rendition of ‘Michael, Row the Boat Ashore’ (the movie’s big on period detail) is largo. The film’s watchable enough if you’re indulgent of its flaws, satisfied by star turns (William Hurt, Michael Gambon, Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, Joe Pesci and John Sessions, not to mention the director’s own stale cameo), and happy ticking off clichés, but at 167 minutes it does tax the patience.
Author: Geoff Andrew
Time Out London Issue 1905: February 21-27 2007
[deleted]
I actually rather enjoyed it. I can see how de Niro was trying for the feel of two of his finest acting movies though, "The Godfather" and "Once Upon a Time" - they both have that stately pace and epic canvas.
share[deleted]
I think this is one of the best films of its genre ever made. One had to really pay attention because there was so much going on, a lot of intrigue, etc., but I loved it, and will make it a permanent film to see over and over. As I wrote in another post, however, I would have loved a commentary on the bonus features section of the dvd. There were some things I didn't quite understand, but for the most part people on this board have answered my questions.
shareIf you've read about the history of the CIA and its early ties to Yale Skull and Bones, it makes a little more sense. I thought it would be interesting for this reason. But, found it pretty boring. The acting and directing is all good. I like pretty much everything De Niro is in. But, this film wasn't one of my favorites and at nearly three hours running time, its way too long too.
It was how the / that world is / was, watch some Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People, get with the rhythm of how this extension of a nation works; it isn't how it is in the movies, it lives and breathes as slow and deliberate as this. It is a real portrayal of the people who don't live their lives but give it away, completely for what they see as a higher purpose. Dig deeper into yourself, look for that... you may, just may, begin to appreciate this great film a little more.
shareFinally, a post that brings up Tinker, Tailor and Smiley's People. Those two movies, or mini series rather, are how a spy movie is done right. Of course, working from excellent novels helps a great deal, not to mention having a REAL director and TALENTED actors can't hurt either.
Robert DeNiro should not have quit his day job to direct The Good Shepard. He doesn't have enough experience behind the camera. Putting this worthy subject matter in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing would have helped immensely. As it is, most of the actors came off as robotic chess pieces reciting their lines rather then breathing life into them.
For those of you who slap yourselves on the back, thinking you're so clever because you "get it" and we don't.. get stuffed. That isn't the issue raised in the OP. It's not about spy craft, but movie craft.
I agree, this movie is horrible, LOL
I watched the whole thing, hoping I would understand SOMETHING, yet didn't understand ANYTHING of what was going on. If De Niro directed this, he should directing immediately
agree so much, its one of the only films I can't actually watch all the way through. boring.
"The night is darkest just before the dawn. And I promise you, the dawn is coming"
Funny how all you guys think this film is boring.I manage to watch it all the way through & for some reason I was actually paying attention to.Might give it a second view to get the whole thing.
share