Reasons of State: why Robert De Niro’s film was a risky project for Matt Damon? – CineSeries

Reasons of State : the origins of the CIA

Thirteen years later Once upon a time in the Bronx, Robert DeNiro returned to directing in 2006 with Reasons of State. A feature film centered on Edward Wilson, a character inspired by American intelligence officer James Jesus Angleton. Embodied by Matt Damonthis man deeply marked by the suicide of his father which he witnessed distinguished himself during his studies at Yale by the importance he attached to discretion and honor.

Values ​​that push Bill Sullivan (Robert De Niro), future director of the OSS – dismantled in 1945 and replaced by the CIA – to recruit him. Edward Wilson participates in the creation of a counterintelligence service in connection with the war that the United States is preparing against Germany. Investigating for many years in Europe, he witnesses without realizing it the collapse of his marriage with Margaret (Angelina Jolie), discovers the betrayals and sinks into paranoia, gradually sacrificing his life for his job.

Billy Crudup, Michael Gambon, Alec Baldwin, William Hurt, John Turturro, Joe Pesci or Eddie Redmayne complete the distribution of this ambitious fresco on which Robert De Niro worked for ten years. Fascinated by the world of espionage, the director and actor seeks to direct a different film on the subject, and then receives the script forEric Roth (Forrest Gump, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). Result a precise, cold, anti-spectacular and above all fascinating work end to end.

A risky project for Matt Damon

Reasons of State is risk taking for Matt Damon. At the time, the star had several successes in her filmography, including We have to save the soldier Ryanthe first two parts of the saga Ocean’s as well as the franchise’s first two on Jason Bourne. But outside The memory in the skin and The death in the skin, the actor is not the headliner of these projects. When it turns in syriana, Reasons of State and Infiltrators, the comedian is aware that they may not work at the box office. He therefore considers that his place in Hollywood is particularly fragile.

Asked by MovieWebMatt Damon explained in 2006:

Between the two movies BourneI did syriana, Infiltrators and Reasons of State. When I signed up for Infiltrators, I thought it wasn’t going to be a hit because Marty’s (Scorsese) movies don’t usually make a lot of money. I felt blocked by movies Bourne. I had the chance to make the films that I really wanted to make, maybe a little more difficult. I have a very limited chance of being able to choose certain films and I am satisfied so far. It doesn’t last forever. We see everyone come and go. I know how it works.

A fear that has not come true. Infiltrators was both a commercial and critical success, grossing over $291 million worldwide and winning 4 Oscars. If they don’t hit as hard, Reasons of State and syriana are also acclaimed by the press. As for Matt Damon, he was able to continue to make very interesting choices, shooting in particular for Clint Eastwood, Neill Blomkamp, Ridley Scott Again Christopher Nolan.