DVD Reviews
DVD Review: Breach
By Jeff Swindoll
Jun 13, 2007, 21:26 GMT

The real life story ripped out of the headlines makes a fine feature film - although those expecting something akin to James Bond might be disappointed.  The film’s power is in the fine performances by Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, and Laura Linney. 

What the back of the box says:
“Inspired by the incredible true story of the greatest security breach in U.S. intelligence history, Breach is a spellbinding thriller starring Academy Award winner Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Academy Award nominee Laura Linney and Dennis Haysbert. Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) is assigned to work with renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Cooper), the sole subject of a long-term, top-secret investigation. Determined to draw this suspected double agent out of deep cover, O'Neill finds himself in a lethal game of spy vs. spy, where nothing is as it seems. Critics are hailing Breach as "electrifying" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) and "suspenseful" (Ty Burr, The Boston Globe).”

Robert Hanssen (as excellently portrayed by Chris Cooper) is a jerk that’s headed for retirement in two months time when young FBI operative Eric O’Neill (Ryan Phillippe) is brought in to investigate him.  His superior Kate Burroughs (Laura Linney) tells O’Neill that Hanssen has been posting dirty messages online and they’re out to get him for it. 

However, what O’Neill finds is a hard-nosed, pious Catholic, with an equally pious and devoted wife (Kathleen Quinlan) and that at least in appearance is not the pervert that he’s painted to be.   At first O’Neill has taken the assignment to get on the career ladder to FBI agent, but as time goes on O’Neill starts to see Hanssen as strange, but also as an agent wanting to do the right things but is held back by beauracry and red tape.  He then approaches Burroughs and tells her that he thinks that someone else should be investigating Hanssen. 

Then Burroughs tells him the truth behind Hanssen – that he’s a spy of the worst kind and has been leaking information to the Russians and has been responsible for at least three undercover Russian agent’s deaths and countless damage done to secret operations.  O’Neill returns to his snooping with increased fervor, but can his marriage survive all the tension that his undercover work is putting on his wife Juliana (Caroline Dhavernas)? 

Breach is not your average spy film in that it’s more of a slow burn and not the usual action-packed antics of a man called Bond.  It more resembles something like the Spy Who Came in Out of the Cold (a favorite of mine) and like that film features a fine performance from the lead character. 

Chris Cooper is just superb as the enigma that is Robert Hanssen.  Cooper so drew me into the character that I found myself actually feeling sorry for Hanssen, even after his odd behavior and traitorous actions.  In last scene of Hanssen shows a truly broken and destroyed man (and is a testament to Cooper’s acting skills). 

Ryan Phillippe also is very memorable as the FBI employee wanting to be on the fast track to being an agent and then finds that the case that propels him to the top might be the sign that perhaps he doesn’t want to be in the agency.  The real Eric O’Neill was a consultant on the film so the whole thing rings true and has a high degree of authenticity. 

The ladies also fare well as Laura Linney and Caroline Dhavernas provide fine performances.  Also look for Dennis Haysbert and Bruce Davison in small roles. 

Breach is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  A fullscreen version is available separately.  Special features include a commentary by writer/director Billy Ray and former FBI operative Eric O’Neill.  There are also 12 minutes of deleted scenes and 5 minutes of alternative scenes with optional commentary by Billy Ray and editor Jeffrey Ford.

The 10 minute “Breaching the Truth” goes into the making of the film and interviews Ray, first assistant director Richard L. Fox, Eric O’Neill, producer Scott Kroopf, Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillipe, Caroline Dhavernas, Dennis Haysbert, executive producer Adam Merims, Juliana O’Neill, and producer designer Wynn Thomas. 

The 6 minute “Anatomy of a Character (brought to you by Volkswagen?!?)” delves into the actors getting into character and adds interview footage with Kathleen Quinlan.  The next feature is the very interesting 19 minute “The Mole” that originally aired on Dateline on March 5, 2001. 

Breach is an engaging and interesting thriller made all the more compelling by the fact that it was ripped out of the headlines of 2001.  It’s only made more so by the participation of one of the actual players in the events.  The performances are top notch and the film is excellent.

Breach is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information. Click Here to read M&C's exclusive interview with Eric O'Neill.