Spy films have been a popular film genre for many years. They largely fit into either of two forms. In the first of these, which is typified by the various James Bond films, the spy is a slam bang tough and usually suave guy. These films are primarily action films, more interested in dramatic effect than actual story telling.
The Good Shepherd does not fit this description. It is more in the category of a serious, deeply involving setting where dialogue is far more important than action. The mysteries are genuinely complex and the endings usually tie all the loose ends into a logical package. The how we get to there is definitely more on the cerebral side.
There are two ways of addressing these types of spy films. One, and a very popular one is the focusing on an individual who is involved in spy and espionage activities without knowing what is really going on. One of the best of the early use of this technique was "The Thirty Nine Steps," made in the thirties. It starred Robert Donat as an everyman playing opposite Madeline Carroll neither of which was aware of what was going on either, though Donat was suspected of murdering a woman involved in espionage activities. A number of other films through the years used this format, most notably Alfred Hitchcock in several productions made in either England or the United States.
In the second method of developing films of this type the focus is on the mechanism of the spy business and addresses the procedures and processes used in spying and counter espionage. These kinds of films have been most successfully done for television as long series. Three good examples are the Alex Guinness television series on PBS where he plays the role of John LeCarre's deep thinking spy genius George Smiley. There were two of these films which appeared on PBS back in the late eighties and early nineties. In the first of these, Smiley was chosen by the head of British intelligence, referred to in the films as "Control." There is a mole, a term used to identify an enemy agent, who has infiltrated the system somewhere in the British Secret Service and who is providing information to Control's counterpart in Moscow. Smiley is giving the task of ferreting him out. This set of events is covered in the mini-series called "Tinker, Taylor, Soldier, Spy."
In a follow up series Smiley is now running the "Circus," which is the name used to identify the British Secret Service. He has a new objective, to turn Karla, the Moscow Center operator who set up the mole. 'Turn' is a term used by those in the spy business to get a member of the opposition government or spy agency to turn traitor.
In 1983, on PBS, there was an extremely interesting investigation of British intelligence from the period of the Russo-Japanese War (1905) until the mid-20's when the Communists were finally consolidating their power in Russia. The chief British spy in this series was the real life Sidney Reilly who was played by New Zealand actor Sam Neill in his first really large role. The series was called "Reilly, Ace of Spies." It's far longer than the George Smiley productions, and covers a different period of espionage activity, but it is every bit as interesting. Like the Smiley films it deals in part with the competition between Reilly and the head of the Soviet Intelligence system, Dzerzhinsky, played expertly by British actor Tom Bell. Reilly can be seen as rather full of himself. Because of his success in the spy business,Reilly eventionally sees himself rather pretentiously thinking that he might be able to overturn the Soviet government and see himself established as dictator of that nation.
The Good Shepherd deals with spy work much in the tradition of the three productions describe above. It doesn't have mini-series length, though it's more than two and a half hours running time provides some opportunities to examine issues in detail. The story is told mostly in flashback. It begins with Matt Damon in the role of Steven Wilson examining his participation in The Bay of Pigs venture during the Kennedy Administration and why it drastically failed. It seems apparent that there was an inside source, a mole, providing information to Fidel Castro, which provided the latter with information as to when and how the attack was going to take place. Also occupying Wilson's time, is an audio tape plus a photo that has come into his possession. In listening to the tape and studying the photo he continually seeks clues as to the tape and photo's source. This analysis occurs continually during the film using various electronic methods to reveal more clues.
In flashback Wilson considers his own life and dwells on the death of his father, by suicide, when he was just a child. His father had tried to impress on him one thing in particular, "Always tell the truth."
He also mentally addresses his career at Yale University, his participation in a secret society of that school, and his disgust at the hazing he is forced to go through along with other pledges which include such activity as being urinated on while participating in a mud fight. Among his contacts at Yale is a Poetry professor played by Michael Gambon who will have an influence on his life later. During this time he is also approached by Sam Murach played by Alec Baldwin, who holds an important role in American intelligence operations, and who tries to interest him becoming a part of the intelligence service.
Wilson is eventually recruited and vetted to London. While in London, Hitler's attack on Poland takes place in 1939 and the British declare war on the Germans. His old Yale Professor is there as well. The latter is now a member of British intelligence, and the two of them interface in joint British and American intelligence activities. It is while in London, however, that Wilson learns of the Professor's secret role as a suppler of intelligence to the Nazis.
During his time in Washington before posting to London Wilson has met Laura, played by Tammy Blanchard, a lovely young college age girl who is deaf. Though their relationship blossoms it doesn't result in anything beyond warm personal friendship. At approximately the same time he is put in contact with Clover Russell, the sister of one of his friends from Yale. She is a predator and obviously is either particularly smitten with Wilson or with young men in general. She is played by Angelina Jolie. They meet at a big party held at her parent's home. Later than evening she entices Wilson to go to the beach nearby where they get involved in a sexual liaison. Clover ends up pregnant and Wilson at the urging of his friend, Clover's brother, and his own sense of responsibility marries her. At the same time, Wilson is contacted again by Sam Murach and is requested to take the London intelligence assignment.
It is apparent through these and later events that Wilson is totally devoted to his work in American intelligence. His career moves ahead even though his personal and family life is largely destroyed. Clover becomes more and more reclusive and resigned to a life without love and affection.
Laura, the girl Wilson really loved finally has a liaison with Wilson which ends up in their being photographed by orders of a Russian spy who is supposedly a defector from the Soviet Union, but actually is neither a defector or who he says he is.
Laura is devastated by the photo's and goes out of Wilson's life. She really is the one person he feels affection for. Later, Wilson's son gets involved in an affair with a woman who he wants to marry, and who Wilson discovers is being used by the same Russian agent. At the film's close Wilson is given the opportunity of becoming an important cog in the expansion of the CIA and thereby cementing his commitment to the spy business.
The film would seem to reflect that spying, as an occupation, is not nearly as exciting as it might seem to be. Wilson, and I suppose many other member's of this service, end up having to sacrifice much of what makes life worth living.
Damon is very effective in his performance. Only once or perhaps twice did he show his characteristic half smile. His performance was all seriousness. Robert DeNiro, who directed the film, has a small role as an American general. He is just one of many strong cast members, though his role is not that big. John Turturro is especially memorable as an American enlisted man assigned to Wilson in London. Later on he has a pivotal role including initiation of a beating while interrogating a Russian defector who claims to be the same man as the earlier defector. Wilson plays a critical role in following this up and learns that the man posing as the defector is not who he claims to be, and the man who took the beating is the real defector.
There are only two other scenes of violence and both appear off camera. These include the beating to death of a Nazi spy and the murder of a girl used as a tool by the Soviets in trying to blackmail Wilson. Somehow, neither of these events seem that realistic to me, but of course I'm not involved in the secrecy game so they may be right on.
The Good Shepherd is a highly recommended film if you like films that are steady and take concentration to fully understand what is happening and where it will end. Despite it's large cast, only two people have major roles, Matt Damon as Wilson and Angelina Jolie as his wife.
Dick Gardner, Classic Films
Read the 25th Anniversary Edition of Classic Films No. 16, February 1983
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