Breach

[DotTheEyes]

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Breach, out now on DVD, is a fact-based drama concerning the case which led to the arrest and prosecution of Robert Hanssen, a former FBI agent who engaged in spying for the Soviet Union and Russia against the United States for a period of at least 15 years.

The film is especially interested in the relationship between him and Eric O'Neill, an upstart FBI operative who is pulled from counterterrorism surveillance duty and given a special assignment: go undercover as an assistant and monitor Robert Hanssen (who he is at first told is simply a sexual deviant).

The depiction of Robert Hanssen is fascinating. He was a contridactory individual. A devout Catholic and member of Opus Dei who doted on his family, he secretly filmed he and his wife having sex and mailed the tapes to online friends around the globe. A self-proclaimed patriot who derided superiors he saw as ineffective or misguided, he caused unimaginable damage to U.S. interests for his own personal gain. Very interesting and frightening and the details of his sordid life are reflected in Chris Cooper's Academy Award-caliber performance, which alternates between charming and menacing.

Though his role is less intriguing (Eric O'Neill is ultimately a good, well-intentioned man who does his job despite the increasing pressure and confusion, not to mention his undeniable respect for the good parts of Robert Hanssen), Ryan Phillippe shines, perfectly conveying emotional turmoil. And Laura Linney and Dennis Haysbert (star of The Unit on CBS) are solid as senior FBI officials leading the case to bring Robert Hanssen down.

This is a riveting movie based on an important, chilling story. If you are a fan of spy films or suspense in general, as I am, it's not to be missed.

[virgovictoria (Premo)]

I watched the film the other night. I expected to be a bit more chilled by such a traitor, perhaps have the same feelings I had for him when I found out about him and lived so closed to him - and so close to our nation's core and heartbeat.

I do understand that it is a film, but I believe Eric O'Neill collaborated on the effort. And I know that only so much can be put into and developed in a film; I had hoped that Hansen's character would indicate a little more about the man himself. More idiosyncrosies, more pathologies, more methodologies...

Guess I'll have to wait for the docudrama for that one.

All in all, it is a good flick; I did want more. Some films, you just can't wait for them to end.

[AK-74me]

I thought this movie was very good and revealed alot about Hanssen to me, granted I hadn't researched him much before seeing this film so many people may know much more about him than I.

I give it two thumbs up, certainly worth the 2 hour watch.

[DoWhat (Premo)]

Originally Posted by DotTheEyes

View the trailer...

Breach.

Good movie.
The` wife an I watched it a couple weeks ago.

He got a lot of people killed, but I think Walker did more damage to the US.