Robert's Review

"Breach" is based on the true story of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent who was arrested in 2001 for committing one of the largest security breaches in U.S. history – for many years he'd been selling American secrets to the Soviet Union, costing the U.S. billions and also causing the deaths of an untold number of U.S. informants, who were under the Bureau's protection. Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) is striving to become and FBI agent and is soon promoted to a job inside FBI headquarters working for respected agent Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper). After being initially misled about his purpose, O'Neill is soon told about his true mission: finding proof that Hanssen is a traitor and helping the Bureau catch him red-handed. 

"Breach" was very interesting and well worth watching. Chris Cooper's performance was brilliant and mysterious, playing as a deeply religious FBI agent who'd been outsmarting the FBI for years as he sold American secrets to the Soviet Union. Ryan Phillippe played the role very well too and the chemistry between him and Cooper was appropriately very casual and sometimes off-base. At first, O'Neill showed adoration and admiration for the respected agent Hanssen, but then as he began to learn more and more about him, O'Neill tied to maintain that illusion, but was really striving to stay alive and not get caught while trying to set Hanssen up to be caught red-handed. And of course, after a few close calls of almost getting caught, Hanssen was still trying to puzzle out whether or not O'Neill could be trusted. However, Chris Cooper and Ryan Phillippe did a great job in maintaining that dynamic, but volatile relationship. 

All in all, I'd give this movie 3.5 STARS (out of 5). Re-watch value: MEDIUM

"Breach" is inspired by the true events surrounding one of the U.S.'s most notorious spy cases.  Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) is promoted to a job inside FBI headquarters working for respected agent Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper). Then O'Neill learns his true mission: finding proof that Hanssen has been selling American secrets to the Soviet Union for the last 22 years.  This was a really well done spy drama, based on the prior 2 months before Hanssen's arrest; the movie does a great job of building up to the conclusion.  I thought the actors performed admirably, and the plot flowed with a good deal of consistency.  For someone who did not follow or knew anything about the case the movie also provides a good amount of detail to bring the viewer up to speed.  I thought it was extremely well put together and very well thought out.  I thought Cooper gave an eerily crafted, texture and an altogether compelling performance as the deceitful double agent who passed along sensitive information for more than 22 years.  The movie also made some direct points about office politics and "suck-ups" or people who protect their territory, but this by no means detracted from the story it only enhanced it.  Overall a great spy drama. 

Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars (out of 5). Re-Watch Value: High (I will purchase it on DVD).

courtesy
www.myspace.com/thepopcornreview