Review of Breach (2007) by R.j. L — 05 Apr 2010

On February18,2001 Attorney General John Ashcroft made a public televised announcement that one of the FBI's highest ranking agents Robert Hanssen had been charged with selling American secrets to Russia for more than US$1.4 million in cash and diamonds over a 22-year period. On 6 July 2001, he pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of espionage. He was then sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His activities have been described as "possibly the worst intelligence disaster in US history." Billy Ray's "Breach" tells the events leading up to the capture of Robert Hanssen and how one lone rookie took down one of the most infamous traitors in American history. Billy Ray's film is a masterful execution of design and brilliant execution that ask one of the most dangerous questions, in a world where you have to lie to survive and the truth is lethal how can you trust those you know with he truth?

Billy Ray's "Breach" is a film that works beyond the normal conventional trappings of other espionage thrillers it works like spy thrillers use to work before big explosive actions sequences, beautiful women, and mindless plot devices overrode ingenious plots twists, sharp writing, broad and haunted characters and compelling stories. "Breach" is a throw back to the brilliance of Cold War spy thrillers with a modern twist attached to it what makes this film work is not the story or the powerful intrigue, no. What drives this film what makes it work is the dark, complex interplay between the characters how they lie and manipulate one another for there own needs, Billy Ray crafts one of the most intricate and well rounded story of espionage, double dealings, treachery and deception. It is a story of how sometimes the ones you trust the most are the ones with the most secrets. "Breach" is a film that not only works on your senses it pulls you into a world, into a story that you could never have thought possible or even imagine was real it's a film so brilliant, so powerful that the minute it's over you'll want to see it again.

This film is not a story about espionage or intrigue it is a story about people, real people and the choices they make the choices that affect the people around them, the people they love. That to me expresses more of the story's power than the films actual investigation into Robert Hanssen. Ray focuses more on how this investigation affected O'Neill and his wife more than how it all affected Hanssen, you know it doesn't bother Hanssen what he's doing or what he is about to do. We see he has no remorse for what he did or the lives he cost. It is how O'Neill works this story, how he is affected mentally and emotionally by the events that are transpiring. "Breach" is beyond a thriller it is almost like watching real events unfolding in front of you on screen. Billy Ray has transcended the original story and put to paper and then to the screen a story that seems to terrifying to believe "Breach" works on every level as a spy thriller, a character study and a cautionary tale.

I have never really followed Ryan Phillippe career the only film I can remember I saw him in was in 1998's "Cruel Intentions", which was a good film mind you. Phillippe was likable in that film and I liked how he played the smug Sebastian but something about him just didn't sit right with me I liked him but I didn't consider him a good actor, until now. Phillippe's performance as young FBI employee Eric O'Neill is powerful and haunted Phillippe has proven himself worthy of being called an actor instead of a former teen heartthrob who went nowhere. He doesn't just try and play the role; no, he lives the role he becomes the role, he immerses himself into the role and gives a performance is not only masterful and skillful but it is also powerful and shows you this two hit wonder has got more acting chops than anyone thought, than I thought. Chris Cooper is an actor who can tackle any film, any role, and any genre you just give him the script and watch the sparks fly. Here Cooper dominates the film this is his film to own, to control he is the reason it floats instead of sinking, Phillippe and Cooper are both truly compelling in this film they work as if they've been going head to head for years and the payoff in the end is breathtaking. Cooper is so powerful there are times that he sometimes overpowers the audience and in most cases that would cause a less skilled actor to seem like he is giving an over the top performance. Cooper is a master and he overpowering the audiences means he is giving more credibility and power to an already influential film. The rest of the cast including Dennis Haysbert, Laura Linney, Kathleen Quinlan and Gary Cole all turn in strong supporting performances in this old school spy thriller.

It is a flawless movie of perfect design and execution; it works like a nasty little machine toying with you every step of the way while you try to put the pieces together in the end. Billy Ray does not only use every feeling and emotion a human has he uses it to it's full extent spreading it out like butter on a piece of toast, this film does not only work as a morality play, a story so refined and perfected that it transcends normal cinema and enters the realm of modern film classics.