MovieChat Forums > The Good Shepherd (2006) Discussion > Matt Damon was incredibly wooden in this...

Matt Damon was incredibly wooden in this film


I don't think I saw him change his expression once. Very poor acting.

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If his character was in fact based on JJ Angleton https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Jesus_Angletonmaybe you could see why?
Kisskiss, Bangbang

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^This. He was brilliant. And so was the movie

*All they make are unwatchable movies from unreadable books.

--Clarence Worley

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He's supposed to be stoic and quiet; always calm. It's mentioned more than once in dialogue.

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Spoilers Spoilers Spoilers Spoilers Spoilers

Did you see him singing in drag at the Yale play? As the story develops he simply becomes a reflection of his life events. Afterall, when he was six, his father kills himself because of suspicion of disloyalty. As his character progresses - his own ability to be loyal is questioned when he joins Skull & Bones. He has this hanging over him and he learns to be very reticent and guarded. It's not an exciting story - you have to see where he is coming from and what motivates him. I think Matt did a good job in his portrayal.

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^This too. This is one of the most unappreciated movies ever made next to REDS

*All they make are unwatchable movies from unreadable books.

--Clarence Worley

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The Wood Shepherd starring Charlie McCarthy

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If he was "wooden" it was because that's the character, and he followed the De Niro's direction perfectly!

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Of course he was. That was the character. He was supposed to be inscrutable. He's more open nearer the beginning of his life, but becomes a slate.

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