I bought the film on Friday (£4, total bargain!) and have written a little review here. It's fun being a Sessionite!
Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) is a CIA agent working in 1962 trying to figure out which of his fellow agents leaked word of a planned invasion of Cuba. During this, he reminisces about how he came to be working for the agency and the sacrifices he has made in the name of the USA, including an unhappy marriage of convenience to Clover/Margaret (Angelina Jolie) and an inability to trust anybody.
The one thing that is really clear from his movie is that director Robert De Niro really cares about performances. They're the standout aspect in the film. A lot of critics have criticised Damon's performance in the film, saying he's too dull and emotionless but that's the whole point. Edward is a man who has to hide so many secrets from everybody he knows, the smallest sign of weakness would jeopardise his job. In this case, the need for subtlety is ideal and Damon nails every twich and stare. While the cast is huge and full of actors with more Oscars than the rest of us have had hot dinners, this is Damon's film throughout. Everything is seen through his eye and the supporting cast pass by, often before the rest of us have time to register. It is fun to spot who turns up in the film, including William Hurt, Michael Gambon, Lee Pace (Ned from Pushing Daisies in a surprising role), Billy Crudup with an atrociously twee English accent, John Turturro who is always good value for money, Joe Pesci in a 2 minute cameo that doesn't really serve any other purpose than for De Niro to direct his friend, and John Sessions as a KGB defector. I was pretty excited to see him in the film, it's a massive U turn from Whose Line Is It Anyway. I have to stop buying films just because it features cute guys (ahem...) with cool accents. It's a very testosterone fuelled movie, the few women involved in any important aspect aren't given much to do. I adore Angelina Jolie but I feel that here she has been miscast. She's too vibrant and fiery to play a wilting flower of a housewife. It's a thankless task which she just manages to pull herself through. Much better is Tammy Blanchard as Edward's first love, the deaf Laura. She creates a massive impact in her role and deserves to have a massive career.
This is a long film. A very long film. We're talking 2 hours and 40 minutes long. It's a film that will divide people. You'll either enjoy the political aspects that carry the story or you'll be bored to tears. I'm in the former camp. It isn't supposed to be an action filled film, although on a very shallow aspect, for a film about the CIA I was expecting more explosions! The Good Shepherd is about the dirty dealings that litter the supposed heroes of the country. Everywhere Edward goes, there is somebody who may or may not be betraying him. He firmly believes in the good of the country, even at the sacrifice of his own family. Most of the time, the action is set in the offices and dark rooms, with men discussing life together. There's a surprisingly large amount of metaphors used too which might bug some. A lot of history is condensed into the story which explains the length. I was fascinated by the truth aspect. Some of the things that Edward does would never cross my mind, I always put my family first. I don't think I could jeopardise myself by being in a position where I need to watch over my shoulder everyday for something that might come back and bite me in the backside.
The film is beautifully shot, it looks like a film noir, very secretive and hidden in shadows. It also works as a great metaphor to show how nothing is just black and white ven though it seems to be. The narrative is a bit mixed which will bore some, and the length is hard to sit through in one sitting. I did it and the couch has a huge dent in it. There is one huge problem with this film - nobody ages. Damon looks exactly the same rom 1939 to 1962. Almost a quarter of a century passes and he stays the same, as do everyone else. It's a little bit distracting because you often forget how much time is supposed to have passed on screen. A little bit of ageing make-up would have made the world of difference. If you like your spy movies to be full of James Bond style action and gadgets, this isn't for you. I applaud De Niro for his ambition and for taking on such a potentially controversial project. The US Government doesn't come across as particularly kind. They treat people as commodities, not humans, and anybody is expendable. It's not a film for everybody but there is a lot to admire.
Then my pretty cards. 
Michelle - my sister's best mate.
Me and my mum, it was absolutely freezing so I stole my gran's hoodie and put it over my floral dress. Camera shy as ever.
Daryl. She really should throw off her natural shyness. In my dress.
My gran Cath, auntie Sally and auntie Adrianna.
Daz and Michelle. Notice all the booze.
Colleen and my auntie Ellen.
Ross (Findal), Pamela, Kirsty, Mrtin, John and Ross D. 
Amanda and Colin, Colin did the funniest dancing all night. He's a real mover.
