Breach Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Inspired by the true story of the greatest security breach in U.S. history
How one man betrayed the security of a nation.
In February, 2001, Robert Hanssen, a senior agent with 25 years in the FBI, is arrested for spying. Jump back two months: Eric O'Neill, a computer specialist who wants to be made an agent is assigned to clerk for Hanssen and to write down everything Hanssen does. O'Neill's told it's an investigation of Hanssen's sexual habits. Within weeks, the crusty Hanssen, a devout Catholic, has warmed to O'Neill, who grows to respect Hanssen. O'Neill's wife resents Hanssen's intrusiveness; the personal and professional stakes get higher. How they catch Hanssen and why he spies become the film's story. Can O'Neill help catch red-handed "the worst spy in history" and hold onto his personal life?
| Chris Cooper | Robert Hanssen |
| Ryan Phillippe | Eric O'Neill |
| Laura Linney | Kate Burroughs |
| Caroline Dhavernas | Juliana O'Neill |
| Gary Cole | Rich Garces |
| Dennis Haysbert | Dan Plesac |
| Kathleen Quinlan | Bonnie Hanssen |
| Bruce Davison | John O'Neill |
| Jonathan Watton | Geddes |
| Tom Barnett | Jim Olsen |
| Jonathan Potts | D.I.A. Suit |
| David Huband | Photographer |
| Catherine Burdon | Agent Nece |
| Scott Gibson | Agent Sherin |
| Courtenay J. Stevens | Agent Loper |
| Billy Ray |
7.30 out of 10 (13490 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Great Investigative Thriller & Scary Portrait of the FBI
posted on 26 Aug 2009This film was well done from a couple of perspectives.First, it was an eye-opening picture of one of the biggest traitors in American history. The story of the extent of Richard Hansson's perfidy and of the damage that he did to our intelligence gathering efforts for a couple of decades -- all while serving as a respected insider in what claims to be America's best investigative agency* -- was engrossing. Chris Cooper, as Hansson, gives an excellent performance as a profoundly troubled and twisted man, who is brilliant, unlikeable by all except his religious wife and his grandchildren and, ultimately, unfathomable. Similarly, Eric Phillippe was perfect as the young FBI clerk who became one of the important actors in Hansson's ultimate undoing (along w/ an army of other dedicated agents). Second, Cooper/Hansson's observations about the state of the FBI's IT systems and intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities in early 2001 are spot-on and scary. It is quite easy to understand why any hints about the coming firestorm in Lower Manhattan were lost. Moreoever, the description of how the most important thing to most agents was who would get the office with a window (or the best G-car or the best or latest Blackberry) and who would get on the high profile cases that would advance his/her career is one of the Bureau's most disgraceful dirty secrets. Like Hansson, I remember when the Bureau sent all the fatties and "odd" agents to the Foreign Counter Intelligence squads -- "rubber gun squads." I believe one of those agents, an extreme fatty and member of a major American religious faith, fell in love with a Russian spy, causing considerable embarrassment but little damage. Although I have been away from federal law enforcement for a while, I suspect that things have not changed all that much even now.**In the end, this movie was a good story (even though we knew the outcome from the beginning) and a lens that focused us on a glaring (and uncorrected?) deficit in our country's security. I have spent the last 12 or so hours trying to figure out why Hansson did it. As the movie made clear, I'm not alone. -----------*Others in law enforcement are more inclined to see the FBI as a legend in it's own mind! **And I suspect that there is an added concern now in these post-911 times and that is moving potentially explosive investigations to someone else's desk (or to another agency) before they blow up on one's own watch.
Not sure what it was trying to do
posted on 22 Aug 2009The performances were all just fine, the story had the potential to be intriguing, the characterizations ought to have been riveting.Why then, was this movie so ho-hum? It felt like the director and writers didn't know what story they were trying to tell. Was it a character study of a traitor? No, we don't get much depth on Hanssen. Was it a taut thriller? No, there weren't thrills to speak of, and no real twists or turns. Was it an inside-the-FBI potboiler? No, we didn't learn much about the bureaucracy of intelligence.At times, there were glimmers of each of these stories, but never any depth on any them. I felt like we skated along the surface of a story that would have been much more interesting viewed from underneath the ice.I don't recommend spending the time on this, unless you really like looking at Ryan Phillipe. I do, and it still didn't elevate it.
More than just a spy story.
posted on 18 Aug 2009This was a good spy story, but since it is based on real events which have already happened and we already know how it's going to end up, it is good that Breach is also more than just a spy story.The pacing flows very well. We're brought along into the story with O'Neill, who's a "confident, bordering on cocky" agent who is doing it all for the promotion. As he realizes there is more to behind the case than just sexual perversion, his life, his morals and his beliefs are forced to be questioned as he struggles with the investigation of his Boss, of his Sir.As we reach to the end of the movie towards an obvious fate, we learn much about the dark corners of life, how easily we can all fall when we choose to only blame others, when we choose to only remember the bad aspects of our lives.The end scene was absolutely perfect for this movie, I loved both characters in the movie-O'Neill AND Hanssen. Hanssen was someone who had lost all direction in his life. On the contrary, O'Neill was someone who was trying to find his. O'Neill thinks he is on the right track, that is, until he meets Hanssen. It is here, that he sees a broken example of how he could become with the kind of goal he had in his mind.Chris Cooper played his part as the pathetic Hanssen flawlessly. I'm not sure if the real Hanssen was as "real" as how Chris Cooper had portrayed him. Chris Cooper understood this character like the "back of his hand", I'm not sure if Hanssen had as much layers to him as Cooper had made him to be in the movie. Yet, it must be necessary, because the way Cooper had played out this character, it left me feeling for Hanssen, sympathizing him all throughout the whole movie and for a very long time after I left it. To summarize it, I saw him as well O'Neill had saw him in his investigation, every second O'Neill spent with Hanssen, I was behind O'Neill's eyes, feeling O'Neill's emotions that led him to his decision at the end of the movie.Ryan Phillippe is not to be underestimated either. He played out his part as O'Neill very well too. This is not easy, as O'Neill is someone who goes through an extraordinary amount of transformations in his character, in his morals, not to mention in a very short time span. We have to understand his struggles. As much as he had to do his JOB, he was also suffering with what he was doing to Hanssen because during this time, O'Neill is the only one who understands what led Hanssen to this downfall in moral character.I don't know much about music, but the piano symphonies in the background was excellent in carrying out the emotions at certain points in the movie. I especially liked the last one which ended the movie. I recommend this movie to everyone, and you don't have to be an American to view it. Despite all the repeated "patriotisms" echoed in the lines, I feel that it was only there to contrast Hanssen's doings. Hope I don't get criticized for sympathizing with Hanssen, but it must be excusable because the way Chris Cooper had portrayed him just FORCED me feeling for this character. Sorry if this review is too long but I really loved this movie. =p
Interesting, but somewhat plain...
posted on 06 Aug 2009In this spy thriller movie, we see the story of FBI agent Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper) who's been spying for the Russians for the past 25 years and Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillipe), a young agent-wannabe FBI clerk who's recruited into a plot to bring down Hanssen. This story shows a man's struggle to face the truth as "judgment day" approaches. Hanssen plays an egocentric computer security expert, who doesn't feel appreciated or rewarded for his contributions. His obsessive-compulsive personality is developed throughout the film. Details of Hanssen's crimes are unveiled as new agent Eric O'Neill stumbles to fulfill his role in the master plan to bring Hanssen down. The director, Billy Ray, keeps the screen pale and sober by using dark colors with lots of gray and black tones; after all, it's a grim story based on real life.Breach is not a difficult film to follow, with moments that may make you wonder how Eric O'Neill got to be recruited to participate in the plot against Hanssen, let alone how he got to be an FBI guy. Eric exhibits a plain personality, almost difficult to figure out. During the plot, he often displays a face expression that makes you wonder whether he's too clever to show his emotions or he's just not getting it. Some scenes—like the one he's copying Hanssen's palm pilot's memory card—will make you wonder how he made it that far in the FBI business. His performance is borderline pathetic.The end of the movie is quite predictable. Yes, it's based on a true story, but could have somewhat incorporated some twists in the middle to break the boredom. It definitely doesn't have the pace of a movie like The Bourne Identity (Doug Liman), but it's still worth watching if you're curious about real life spies.
Real-life spy intrigue, well-played
posted on 27 Jul 2009I struggled to find an effective summary line for this film. Really,there's very little way to describe this show,either from an objective viewpoint or subjective one. I must confess that my knowledge of the FBI,the Robert Hanssen spy case or the people around it is decidedly sparse.In fact,when I saw the dateline for the events in question,I had to shake my brain because I seemed to have remembered the events in question as being LONGER AGO than it was. Of course,all of this is really of no issue,I found this film very well done.Towards the end of 2000,the FBI gets wind of a mole in their ranks. They finally narrow it down to agent and computer whiz Robert Hanssen(Chris Cooper,in just "another day at the office" as an effective,nuanced character performance),and have just enough dirt on him to start a case,but yet to catch him in the act. That's where Eric O'Neill(Ryan Phillipe,who might be getting BOTH better roles AND doing better performances),a would-be FBI agent,enters into the fray,as he is recruited by a supervisory agent(LAura Linney,tough and inscrutable here)to track Hanssen in what turns into a part Cat-and-Mouse,part confidence scheme as O'Neill steadily gains HAnsen's(And his family's)trust. Of course,as per any spy film--based in pure reality or inspired fiction--the closer the pursuant comes to snaring his target,the closer he comes to being compromised.THere is little suspense here,in essence,since it's been established that HAnssen was captured,but there's still enough tension in the delicate task of catching someone in the act of espionage without the mission being snuffed out. Whenever a movie can portray a real event where the end result is either already of common knowledge or is not a kept secret,and still able to create an amount of nervous uncertainty and suspense,THAT'S an accomplishment worth note. THe mood of the film is decidedly sober,and the action and pacing is deliberately,believably slow,which leads me to think that this is much more often how spies are caught and leaks found out. Fantastic performances by Cooper(who,if I recall correctly,is A LOT less creepy looking than the real Agent HAnssen),Phillipe,Linney and KAthleen Quinlan(As HAnssen's super-devout CAtholic wife)anchor what is a basically well-fleshed out movie(acting-wise)all around. Director Billy RAy wisely chooses to make the images as dark and foreboding as possible(nonetheleast of which because the story takes place in the winter months),even when some situations aren't as grim or nervous as others. If you like movies that take a studied,careful look at real-life tragedy/intrigue,then I'd like to recommend Breach to you.
the end of a spy
posted on 25 Jul 2009I am not a great fan of true stories on screen, but I had the opportunity of seeing a few good ones lately. Besides 'Zodiac' here is another film where reality gets even with fiction in providing characters that can be on screen as fascinating as they have been in real life.The complex character of the top Russian spy infiltrated in the CIA and reaching the top of the hierarchy is splendidly acted by Chris Cooper. His combination of border-less ambition, cleverness, religious fervor, manipulation and fear is unique. If there is such thing as the role of a life Cooper may have realized it here, and the only thing I can wish him is to be able to equal this performance in future movies. Besides him Ryan Phillippe looked to me slightly mis-cast, a little too young for the key operative who is infiltrated near Hansen in the final stages of the investigation. He is not bad, he is certainly an actor to be followed but does not rally fit well in the movie. The rest of the cast is OK, the director rightly focuses on the relationship between the two and especially on Cooper's character rather than on the technical details of the investigation, and doing so succeeds to make a focused and catching film, above the average level of the typical spy stories.
Slow but Authentic
posted on 23 Jul 2009"Breach" is slow - slow enough to recommend waiting to rent for most people. It is a good story, but the material requires the methodical pacing that will bore viewers hoping for car chases and gun fights.The most authentic part of the movie is its attention to detail. The interior shots look like the drab, boring government offices they portray. This wonderfully realistic touch will be lost on those that haven't toiled in such holes; it is nice that a movie finally depicts a governmental office that looks like one, instead of a futuristic, gleaming movie version that has more in common with the starship Enterprise.Intentionally or not, the drabness goes beyond the office spaces (apologies to - yeahhh - Gary Cole). Laura Linney's hair is flat and dull, and she's as pale as a ghost. All of the exterior shots are cloudy with a 70% chance of showers, like DC all winter long. The somber look of the movie enhances theme, but will probably leave some viewers with a bad taste.As a retired intelligence analyst, I enjoyed this movie because it reminds us that traitors exist, and they cause damage to our national security. Like "United 93" it isn't easy or enjoyable to watch, but the subject matter is thought provoking.
Superior Performances of Actors Playing Intriguing and Complex Characters
posted on 17 Jul 2009Another film, The Good Shepherd, is a superior film about the creation of the CIA. Equally superior is Breach which is about the greatest encroachment of the supposedly secure secrets of the activities of the United States government. As The Good Shepherd, Breach is a tour-de-force character study presented with an intelligent script, insightful directing, and extraordinary acting.It is the true story of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who had for years been selling secrets to the Soviet - and later - Russian government. His arrest was all over the news in early 2001, but it wasn't until much later that the news media began profiling a young, lower level FBI employee named Eric O'Neill who was instrumental in the arrest.O'Neill had not yet gained the rank of agent when he was directed to become the assistant of Hanssen who had been given a new position in the bureau just months before his mandatory retirement - all of this so that O'Neill would be there to assist the investigators in their goal to bring Hanssen to justice. O'Neill was originally told that Hanssen was being investigated for some unwholesome sexual behavior, but he soon discovered that there was far more to his new boss than some sexy adventures on the Internet. Only after confronting his superior, is O'Neill told the true nature of his assignment. After that, we are treated to a cat and mouse game between the highly intelligent Hanssen and his equally intelligent and skillful opponent - O'Neill.There is no standard FBI action in this film. It, instead, is an enthralling look at the cerebral actions of these two incredible men. It is a thrill to watch the sly, old fox being done in by the new kid on the block.Two excellent actors show us these two men. Chris Cooper always gives a solid performance, and he is an intriguing pleasure to watch in this film as the complex genius, Robert Hanssen. It seems that Hanssen was one of those everyday good neighbors and family men who, below the surface, was a character almost beyond belief. Cooper expertly shows us both sides of that man. Ryan Phillippe shows us the inexperience and vulnerability of a young guy facing a nearly insurmountable challenge who uses all of his resources and intelligence in order to achieve a final victory. He is perfect as both innocent and guileful.I would be remiss if I did not cite the performance of Laura Linney. I must admit that she is not one of my favorite actresses, but her portrayal of the woman in charge of the unit investigating and compiling information of the traitorous acts of Hanssen is a delight to behold. She offers us a woman who has given over her life to her profession. This sort of part usually doesn't carry much sympathy when played by a woman, but Linney brings forth nothing but compassion for this woman who has given all for the security of her country.Breach is such a pleasure. You get to sit and watch superior performances of actors playing intriguing and complex characters - who happen to be real people. In addition, the DVD has several special features that serve as the perfect digestif after the meal.
Scapegoat for a far more evil government.
posted on 17 Jul 2009The tagline of *Breach* squeals: "Inspired by the true story of the greatest security breach in U.S. history." I find that hard to believe.For many reasons, the most compelling being the current Amerikan political environment: by 2007, the United States was staggering, knees buckling under the killing burden of a patently criminal administration that betrays its own people for the individual gain of politicians. George W. Bush's and Dick Cheney's Amerika offers absolutely zero moral high ground to crow about OTHER people selling secrets to enemies.The FBI and CIA, renowned and caricatured for their secrecy, duplicity and subversion (installing dictators, helming assassination attempts, providing disinformation to their own government, that government "spinning" the provided information for its own political ends, etc.) are the agency involved in this supposed capture of this supposed treasonous individual (who worked for them). But can we believe ANYTHING that agency releases as "truth"? Governmental espionage is an ABOMINATION of truth – and the makers of this movie have the temerity to single out one man as a scapegoat for the "greatest security breach in U.S. history"? Written by Adam Mazer, William Rotko and Billy Ray, and directed by Billy Ray (known mainly for his screen writing: *Flightplan, Hart's War*), *Breach* follows the 2001 end-run of FBI agents taking down their supposed "worst spy in history," Robert Hanssen (played by Chris Cooper, in a doubtless stunning lead performance), through evidence gathered by young FBI up-and-comer, Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillipe), assigned as Hanssen's aide, in reality spying on Hanssen for the FBI.Apparently – so "They" tell us - in 22 years of espionage, Hanssen betrayed at least 50 human sources, three known to have been executed by the KGB. Believe it if you want to.It would be intriguing and cloak-and-daggery were it not for the fact that it seems like nothing that important was at stake in Hanssen's selling of FBI secrets to the Big Bad Soviets. (We never see any evidence or repercussions of his actions, he just skulks a lot, mailing packages in long shots and being arrogant in people's faces.) One imagines that the Soviets would have gotten those secrets somehow – through SOMEONE – and that in 22 years, there would have been at least that amount of betrayals and deaths within the spy world *anyway.* (Once again, simply comparing the current administration's internecine leakage of disinformation whenever it suits them politically, we can imagine that methods would not have been much different in those bygone days of less than a decade ago).So without seeing how America was affected by Hanssen's secret-selling, where's the incentive to invest interest in this movie? The acting, directing, writing – all these things were quite adequate; Cooper owns the difficult, subtle role of Hanssen and Phillipe imbues his O'Neill with just the right amount of caution, fear and doubt - although Laura Linney playing a Hard Guy (O'Neill's boss) was a little left of miscasting.Hanssen makes it a point early in the film to show O'Neill how effortlessly he can tell if O'Neill is lying. He asks O'Neill for five statements, one of which should be a lie – and picks the lie. Why then, in their further relations – all of which are based on O'Neill lying to Hanssen – can't Hanssen see that O'Neill's very existence as his assistant is a lie? Or are we to believe that O'Neill suddenly gains a mendacious streak a mile wide that cannot be seen through? Or that Hanssen loses his discernment because he "trusts" O'Neill due to O'Neill's great faking of sincerity? O'Neill goes through the same doubts that audiences should use as filters – he can't find anything wrong with Hanssen, except what his bosses are telling him.Hanssen tells O'Neill the CIA credo: "Cooperation is counter-operational." Illustrated most decisively by our very own government – when the thugs at the top (Bush-Cheney, Rove, Wolfowitz, et al) set such a luscious example of brainless, liability-less leadership, it lessens the import of the cogs being treasonous and duplicitous at lower levels. So why go after Hanssen? Rove is a felon. So is W. Go after THEM.When we learn that Hanssen is a devout Christian, we realize that he MUST be one of the worst criminals. Why? Because any devout religious "believer" also believes intrinsically in the EVIL that must balance the good of their deity, which means that whenever they do something wrong, it is attributed to that outside evil – they never blame themselves. Which means they could quite easily perpetrate the grandest crimes – with a sociopath's impunity; the grander the crime, the more evil THE DEVIL was – not they.There is a scene on the DVD that is written in two different ways…This fact alone should alert us to the inauthentic vehicle this movie is – for if it was "Based on a True Story," shouldn't there be only ONE way to play that scene out – i.e. the actual way it played out? Why should we believe ANYTHING the movie tells us? Sorry guys, you failed to suspend my etc.The final text screens tell us that Eric O'Neill left the FBI in 2001 and now practices law. That could be true. They tell us Robert Hanssen is serving a life sentence, 23 hours a day in solitary confinement in a supermax federal penitentiary in Florence Colorado. That could be…? Can we ever be sure of what Hanssen's fate is? He could be dead. He could be in Witness Protection. He might not have even been what the FBI accuse him of being – maybe he was just a scapegoat for a more heinous scenario, a small cog in a larger game of criminal insanity….More likely, he's probably a Special Consultant for Espionage with the very government who vilified him, earning a seven-figure income for the ethically devoid George W. Bush Klan.
Excellent spy drama
posted on 17 Jul 2009I really liked this movie because I'm a fan of true-life spy stories. The movie is about a rookie FBI agent, Eric O'Neill who is chosen to work under a veteran FBI agent, Robert Hanssen, in order to gather whatever information he can about him. At first he is not told exactly why, but then is informed that his boss may be spying for the Russians. Several tense moments occur, but O'Neill is able to use his bond with Hanssen, their religion, to defuse potentially dangerous situations. The end is not nearly as climactic as in usual spy action movies, but remember, this is a drama, not an action flick.It's too bad this movie didn't do as well as it could have, but I blame this on most people's expectations of at least one or two car chases in a movie such as this. But as I said, it's a drama, not an action movie, plus it's a real-life story.If you're into tense drama movies, this one is a plus.
It was OK
posted on 15 Jul 2009At the beginning of the movie it was kinda slow moving but with about an hour left it began to pick up in the suspense. This Hanssen guy is a little odd but you can see that he would actually do this whole ordeal. One of the things that was a little on the dumb side was the pager that the kid had. He should have never let Hanssen see the pager or if he did he should have just said that the FBI gave it to me for the job so they can get a hold of me. Don't tell him that it is for my wife to get a hold of me. Also at the beginning of all of this the head girl told him to write up papers to let her know what was going on and tell me who he talks to on the phone. How is he going to know who he is talking to on the phone, does he have a straight tap to his phone to listen to at all times or what. The head girl should have the tap and she should have all of the recordings of him on the phone. Anyways till the next movie, this is Lil Mahoot out.
A Strong Character Driven Drama Revealing the Underbelly of our National Intelligence
posted on 09 Jul 2009BREACH could have been a documentary as the facts are all in place and the 2001 capture of Robert Hanssen, the most formidable spy in this country's history, is one that is mind boggling enough without the need for dramatization. Yet the screenplay by Adam Mazur and William Rotko in turn based on a story by director Billy Ray with Mazur and Rotko transforms this infamous case into a fine melodrama. The result is a smart thriller, one that holds our attention despite the fact that the results of the case are public knowledge.Robert Hanssen (in a brilliant performance by Chris Cooper) works in national Intelligence and is a crusty, ominous character with some strange demons in his head. FBI Agent Kate Burroughs (Laura Linney) studies a young FBI clerk Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) and decides he is the one gritty and fearless enough to assign to the suspicious Hanssen, a man the FBI feels certain is a major suspect in the breach of security. Hanssen has been selling Intelligence reports to the Soviet Union but in so careful a manner that his status is almost impenetrable. Eric is married to an East German girl Julianna (Caroline Dhavernas) and while she is proud of Eric's advancement in the FBI she fears his preoccupation with his work. Hanssen and his wife Bonnie (Kathleen Quinlan) form a friendship with Eric and Julianna and that friendship, together with a shared near obsession with the Catholic Church, gains Hanssen's trust in Eric. The tension between the investigation by the FBI and Eric's role as a mole create some terrifying situations. But Eric overcomes all obstacles and proceeds to successfully match Hanssen's inscrutable mind and behavior and in the end takes great risks in all aspects of his life to fulfill his mission.The cast is excellent with special attention to the performances of Cooper, Phillippe, and Linney. The supporting roles are carefully cast with such fine actors as Gary Cole, Dennis Haysbert, and Bruce Davison. The production values add immeasurably to the aura of suspense. This is a fine movie not only for the qualities mentioned but also for bringing to light the lack of security from even the most trusted parts of our government. Disturbing food for thought and action. Grady Harp
Two Problems
posted on 03 Jul 2009Breach isn't nearly suspenseful as one would hope. The biggest problem with this is film is the fact everyone who has ever read a newspaper or watched the news knows the outcome well before entering the theater. The ending is truly anti-climactic. Chris Cooper's portrayal is engrossing.The film's second problem is a very distracting lump on Ryan Phillippe's forehead above his left eye. I found myself focusing on this little Adirondack mountain. It is larger than a quarter, but smaller than a 50 cent piece. (Was he wounded on Iwo Jima?) It was much more noticeable in dramatic lighting. When he furrowed his brow, it took on a ghastly life of its own.Its one of those "wait for the DVD" films.
A Taut Drama
posted on 27 Jun 2009Ryan Phillippe gives a good performance as an person undercover working for Robert Hanssen, the infamous FBI agent who was considered the worst traitor in American history. As good as Phillippe is, he is no match for the excellent, standout performance of Chris Cooper as Hanssen. His expressions, mannerisms & reactions to everything are all perfect. He truly is a great actor, something he has illustrated for us time and again. As a matter of fact, a slew of good actors are here in supporting roles, such as Laura Linney, Gary Cole & Dennis Haysbert. Of course, since this based on a true story film is about an FBI agent, we'll never know for sure how authentic the movie is in terms of the facts. Along the way, you may also empathize with Hanssen, another example of Cooper's great work. This film is not for everyone due to the story line, but if you like drama which moves along at a slowish but compelling pace, check this film out. It held my interest to the very end.
We're all traitors in some way or other.
posted on 23 Jun 2009For years, I'd heard about various things that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had done, whether going after John Dillinger, or spying on political dissidents. But until reports about Robert Hanssen came out in early 2001, I would have never guessed that an agent had gone all the way to sell secrets to the Soviet Union.So, the story gets brought to the screen in "Breach". We first get to see rookie agent Eric O'Neill (Ryan Philippe) learning about the FBI's inner workings. He then gets to meet his superior, Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper). Hanssen is an egomaniac who doesn't like women wearing pant suits ("We don't need any more Hillary Clintons!"). Despite Hanssen's nearly hostile attitude, O'Neill quickly grows to respect him as much as possible.That's when the catch comes. Not only does another agent (Laura Linney) identify that Hanssen spent many years spilling secrets to the USSR, but Hanssen starts invading O'Neill's life, undermining his marriage. It becomes clear that this will probably lead up to something ugly.I thought that this was a very well-done movie. Watching it, one gets a feeling of how unpleasant it must be to work in the FBI; in the movie, it always seems like everyone's ready to stab each other in the back. Cooper turns Hanssen into a chilling, amoral lunatic, the sort of man who could at any moment break you in half. Philippe turns O'Neill into a young man uncertain of how to make his way in the world of espionage, especially with the unctuous things going on. Also starring are Dennis Haysbert and Bruce Davison.The one downside is that we never find out why exactly Hanssen betrayed his country.
Massive editing goofs
posted on 21 Jun 2009I saw Breach today, and OH MY GOD! How many times can you count the boom mikes in the top of the frame. I quit counting after 20, but it had to be in almost every inside shot. My wife and I had to ignore them to concentrate on the movie. The entire audience was pointing them out and laughing.Other than than this HUGE distraction, it was a good spy flick. We both thought that Ryan Phillippe did a very good job, in spite of what we read in some syndicated criticisms. Chris Cooper did a very good job in playing this disjointed personality. The take away catch phrase from this film is "Can I trust you?"I would recommend this in spite of the boom mikes, but it is a distraction.
An interesting character study into Robert Hanssen
posted on 05 Jun 2009Breach is an interesting film that provides a quality insight into the story of Robert Hanssen. The writing is clever, it is carried by some nice performances and overall it surprised me by how it made me feel at the end.Breach tells the story of a corrupt American agent who sold millions of dollars worth of information to the Russians. When Robert Hanssen returns from the Soviet Union and the Americans suspect him of being the spy, they place him in a no work job at the Beurau and assign him a clerk (Ryan Philipe) who is supposed to investigate and monitor the man. Robert Hanssen Played by Chris Cooper is a very interesting character. He is sadistic, articulate, very clever, sneaky and somehow a likable man that enjoys taping him and his wife having sex and testing any new person that he meets. Played by Chris Cooper whenever he is on the screen the charisma increases, the acting skills rise and the writing is superb.Although I am not a huge fan of Ryan Philipe it had to be said that he outdoes himself as the slightly cocky, determined American investigator.Breach however is more of a character study then a thriller. There are very few thrills actually in the movie, but when there are I have to say that they are played on brilliantly with some cool music and sound cinematography. At the end of the movie when Robert Hansson is being arrested though, I was surprised to find myself feeling sorry for the man. When the Americans come storming in with their guns and vans, he just seems like a frail old man, that is haunted by a life he never really wished for or believed in. Then at the end when he is being taken too prison, he runs into O Neil and asks him too pray for him. This once again forced a wave of sadness as I felt sorry for the guy.Breach gives an intriguing insight into the man that caused the greatest Breach in U.S history. I think its worth seeing solely so that people can make their own minds up about Robert Hanssen.
Why can't there be more movies like this?
posted on 05 Jun 2009In a day and age where they seem to make movies that cater to mongoloids, it was refreshing to see "Breach." An intelligent film with a well-written story--that's all I ask for! I saw this film with my mom, and she thought it was OK. She felt the story was good, but felt it made in a very quiet, boring fashion. And therein lies the problem. Why do people have to watch a movie that's brimming with explosions, special effects, and car chases? Why can't a good story in itself be satisfying to people? I'm sure plenty of people won't like the film, because it's a bit slow-moving and doesn't contain much action. But if you're like me and favors a good story over everything else, you should enjoy the film. People like to pick on Ryan Philippe, because...well, he's a young actor. It's fashionable to insult young actors. Sure, he's no Dustin Hoffman, but give the kid a break! He's pretty darn good, and has gotten better since his "Cruel Intention" days. It helps that he's playing off a great veteran character actor like Chris Cooper, who (as you can imagine) steals the film. Contrary to what you may gather from the trailers, his character isn't your typical ruthless villain. He's actually a decent human being in many aspects. To me, that must propose a much bigger challenge for an actor. It's probably quite easy to play a character like, say, The Joker in "Batman." To play an evil character with decent, human qualities is difficult, and I would even go as far as saying Cooper deserves an Oscar nod. The supporting cast also contains such talents as Laura Linney and Dennis Haysbert. A solid script, a solid cast--I certainly can't ask for much more!
Intelligent and engaging, solid film-making all around
posted on 01 Jun 2009Billy Ray does something very interesting in this film: He toys with the audience. He utilized similar techniques in his previous film, Shattered Glass, which I thought was also quite excellent and even somewhat underrated. The former film, too, was a character study much in the same way and along the same lines that Breach is. Ray places his "villainous", deceitful character at the center of the film, and portrays him in a way so undeniably human and rounded, when we the audience hear about his wrong and fraudulent deeds, we can't even believe it at first. It happens in Shattered Glass with Hayden Christensen's Stephen Glass character (his only truly fine acting job, if I may say so myself), and indeed, Ray's portrayal of the character of Robert Hanssen manipulates us in just such a way. In utter identification with Eric O'Neill, when we are first told about Hanssen's dealings with pornography and even more so his selling secrets to Russia, we simply can't believe it. Ray seems so fascinated and fixated with Hanssen and has developed and portrayed him in such an incredibly three-dimensional, rounded and well-developed way, he almost neglects his other characters, who get far less development than Hanssen does. Again, the same thing happened in Shattered Glass, but this minor flaw doesn't take away from the big picture at all. It just means the actors have a little less to work with.As an actor's movie, this is one of those vehicles that really lets them loose. Chris Cooper, as the centerpiece of the film, delivers a subdued, vicious and absolutely incredible performance as Robert Hanssen, another very fine role in his already fruitful career. If this film is not forgotten by late this year, one can certainly hope for an Oscar nomination for Cooper. The other "higher-caliber" actor who does well in the film is Laura Linney, who is very high up on the "why hasn't she won an Oscar yet?" list. As I already mentioned, her character isn't developed quite enough to give her absolute liberty in the performance, but she does get a few tender and vulnerable moments to truly shine. Ryan Phillippe, on the other hand, is an actor I have a few problems with. He has had some great, meaty roles in fantastic movies – this one being one of his meatiest – but he never quite manages to get a major bite in. He is an okay actor that never exceeds that categorization and moves into the range of excellence. But I am confident, as he is still young, and with roles in films such as this one, Flags of our Fathers, Igby Goes Down and others, he is slowly building himself a repertoire of high-quality films that slowly but surely improve his skills by posing higher and more difficult obstacles for him to work around. His work in Breach may just be his best yet, but it still doesn't excel into greatness.On a superficial level, everything about this film is solid. The direction, the design, the cinematography lighting and overall look of the film, the pace, the story… everything is rock solid and well crafted. The true story aspect of the film did not necessarily have to stop it from becoming just another average espionage thriller – and I had feared this as near the end it almost entered such territory but abruptly veered away – but Ray does an excellent job at keeping the film focused on the fascinating story and on the characters, and not on the "action". The story itself is a fascinating, fascinating tale that, if treated well, was perfect for making a movie about, and Ray treats it expertly well. That said, the movie never quite reaches absolute greatness due to its naturally subdued nature. Ray is a good director, but he will never reach the heights of Wes Anderson, Michel Gondry or Craig Brewer simply because he keeps it simple and makes great-but-"regular" movies. Not that it's a bad thing: It's quite reassuring to know that one director is consistent at directing solid and interesting real-world drama/thrillers with fascinating stories, high production value and fascinating characters.Finally, I must also comment on the musical score, which immediately caught my attention and which, at first, I thought was something out of Philip Glass' notebooks until a little patience during the credits revealed that it was one Mychael Danna, who had actually composed some absolutely fantastic film scores over the years in even more fantastic movies: Little Miss Sunshine, Capote, The Sweet Hereafter, The Ice Storm… the list goes on. I don't necessarily remember every aspect of his work on those films (except for Little Miss Sunshine, which was also more recent and also features an immediately memorable and brilliant score), but I can safely say that his work on Breach is nothing short of brilliant, and just fantastic music on its own, besides the fact that it obviously and exquisitely enhances the tone and pace of the film.Billy Ray is a good director, but never exceeds into greatness. Ryan Phillippe is a good actor, but never exceeds into greatness. Indeed, just about everything in this film is good – even great – but never exceeds into excellency, except for perhaps Chris Cooper's absolutely fascinating and powerhouse performance as Hanssen. Ray's character development is also exceptional; one can deduct from both this film and Shattered Glass that Ray seems to have an interest in deceitful, untrustworthy characters. The story is strong, intelligent and engaging, the film-making solid all around, and in all this is just a good example of fine but restrained film-making.
Very Disappointing
posted on 28 Aug 2009This is simply a terrible movie. Chris Cooper is a great actor, but lost in this role. If I didn't already know a lot about the case, I would ask for my money back. Hansen comes across as a distracted lunatic. There is virtually no discussion of his motives, his relationship with Opus Dei and his family. Hansen is a fascinating character but there is simply no way the guy portrayed by Cooper would have lasted two weeks in the FBI let alone over 20 years. All you are told is that agents were killed because of Hansen. Over the course of two decades, much more than the deaths of two agents were caused by Hansen. The movie really needed a debriefing like the one in The Falcon and the Snowman or the Aldrich Ames movie also with Hutton. I had looked forward to this movie for months and am so disappointed.