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The 2006 movie that left Robert De Niro a nervous wreck: “Every day I was worried”
Robert De Niro’s 2006 espionage film The Good Shepherd left him feeling anxious throughout production. Directing and starring in the film was considerably more demanding than his 1993 debut A Bronx Tale, with a much larger budget and greater expectations.
The Good Shepherd cost approximately $80 million, compared with A Bronx Tale’s $10 million, and co-starred Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie. Critics were divided, with some praising it as an important spy film while others found it slow, and it remains De Niro’s most recent directing project.
In short
- Directing The Good Shepherd caused De Niro daily anxiety.
- Its $80 million budget raised the stakes.
- Mixed reviews preceded his 20-year directing absence.
Explained simply
Robert De Niro's 2006 film The Good Shepherd is an espionage drama in which he both directed and starred. It marked only his second time directing a feature film, thirteen years after his debut A Bronx Tale.
The production represented a significant step up in scale and pressure from De Niro's first directorial effort. The film cost approximately $80 million compared with A Bronx Tale's $10 million, and featured major stars including Matt Damon and Angelina Jolie, making it far more demanding than his earlier work behind the camera.
Critical response was mixed, with some reviewers praising it as an important espionage film whilst others criticised its pace. The Good Shepherd remains De Niro's most recent directorial project to date.
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