Breach (B or 3/4 stars)
Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) is promoted as faux-assistant to aging FBI Agent, Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper). I say 'faux', because he is really hired by Head Agent, Kate Burroughs (Laura Linney), to shadow Hanssen and find proof of his sexual deviancy and, most importantly, for selling American secrets to the Soviets! 'Breach', a psychological drama directed by Billy Ray, is an aesthetically pleasing cat & mouse espionage film; but it isn't the 'thriller' that it's incorrectly marketed as. That makes 2 films in 2 weeks (the other being, Bridge to Terabithia) that winds up being quite different than originally assumed.
Before proof is discovered of Hanssen's sexual deviancy, Eric is upset that this well-respected, grandfatherly figure-of-a-man is under such intense scrutiny. But the wind is taken out of him when he realizes the severity of Hanssen's breach. Eric has now been thrust into the middle of one of the biggest security investigations in U.S. History. Talk about pressure. But why would such a well respected man resort to such criminal actions? It isn't about the money. How could he jeopardize his career, his loving marriage with wife, Bonnie (Kathleen Quinlan), and his devout devotion to God? What's the source, the root of his evil intentions? What means did he use to sell the information? What kind of information was leaked? Was his work SO underappreciated in the Bureau that he'd lower himself to these acts, decade after decade? Why is he a traitor? Robert Hanssen says, 'The 'why' doesn't matter'. But it really does, here. Perhaps such information can't be released because this film is based on true classified files. But it's hard to relate, empathize, or even hate this man because his story barely scratches the surface.
The film suffers a bit for some other reasons: Because the focus is on Eric O'Neill, Robert Hanssen turns into a sort of side-freak show. And this allows for some cliches to settle in, such as: Eric struggles to focus on the case at hand because the presence of his confused, bewildered wife (Caroline Dhavernas) is a great distraction. Also, Laura Linney's character poses a very familiar question to Eric about his future in the FBI, & some cliched response/comments unfold from both of them. There's not much 'action' throughout the film. And the climax doesn't provide as much energy as it should. That said, without much explosive action, or stirring thrills & chills, there's still buckets of tension & deception to stimulate your brain throughout. And the last scene jars you in a good way.
Positives? There's a slow, yet imminent understated uneasiness that churns the film along. There's nary a moment that you'll sit back & relax in your seat; that's a good thing. The acting from Phillippe & Linney is rather steady. Cooper's stoic broodiness as Robert Hanssen is brilliant. We watch this villain's demise & are unnerved by his presence in every scene. 'Breach', based on an intriguing true story, isn't quite as compelling in movie-form. But it is two words, 'Chris and Cooper' that single-handedly brings this C movie up to a B or 3 out of 4 star rating.
Before proof is discovered of Hanssen's sexual deviancy, Eric is upset that this well-respected, grandfatherly figure-of-a-man is under such intense scrutiny. But the wind is taken out of him when he realizes the severity of Hanssen's breach. Eric has now been thrust into the middle of one of the biggest security investigations in U.S. History. Talk about pressure. But why would such a well respected man resort to such criminal actions? It isn't about the money. How could he jeopardize his career, his loving marriage with wife, Bonnie (Kathleen Quinlan), and his devout devotion to God? What's the source, the root of his evil intentions? What means did he use to sell the information? What kind of information was leaked? Was his work SO underappreciated in the Bureau that he'd lower himself to these acts, decade after decade? Why is he a traitor? Robert Hanssen says, 'The 'why' doesn't matter'. But it really does, here. Perhaps such information can't be released because this film is based on true classified files. But it's hard to relate, empathize, or even hate this man because his story barely scratches the surface.
The film suffers a bit for some other reasons: Because the focus is on Eric O'Neill, Robert Hanssen turns into a sort of side-freak show. And this allows for some cliches to settle in, such as: Eric struggles to focus on the case at hand because the presence of his confused, bewildered wife (Caroline Dhavernas) is a great distraction. Also, Laura Linney's character poses a very familiar question to Eric about his future in the FBI, & some cliched response/comments unfold from both of them. There's not much 'action' throughout the film. And the climax doesn't provide as much energy as it should. That said, without much explosive action, or stirring thrills & chills, there's still buckets of tension & deception to stimulate your brain throughout. And the last scene jars you in a good way.
Positives? There's a slow, yet imminent understated uneasiness that churns the film along. There's nary a moment that you'll sit back & relax in your seat; that's a good thing. The acting from Phillippe & Linney is rather steady. Cooper's stoic broodiness as Robert Hanssen is brilliant. We watch this villain's demise & are unnerved by his presence in every scene. 'Breach', based on an intriguing true story, isn't quite as compelling in movie-form. But it is two words, 'Chris and Cooper' that single-handedly brings this C movie up to a B or 3 out of 4 star rating.