Breach
(2007) Chris Cooper, Ryan
Phillippe, Laura Linney,
Caroline Dhavernas, Gary
Cole, Dennis Haysbert,
Kathleen Quinlan, Bruce
Davison.
Review:
Director Billy Ray ('Shattered Glass') had an
opportunity to explore an exciting event in the FBI history, but he preferred to
use no action, awkward dialogue with long conversations, very little thriller
and clichés in his new film Breach. Do not expect something like the TV series
"24." The star who saves "Breach" from a complete failure is Chris Cooper--he is
probably an underrated actor--who gives an excellent performance in this film.
He is intelligent, mysterious, a bit funny, but a very unlikable character who
keeps things for himself, talks about God, but trusts no one. "Breach" would
have never worked without him...more
Extras:
Commentary by
writer-director Billy Ray
and former FBI operative
Eric O'Neill, "Breaching the
Truth" behind-the-scenes
featurette, "Anatomy of a
Character" featurette, "The
Mole" 2001 "Dateline"
profile of double-agent
Robert Hanssen, deleted and
alternate Scenes.
Breach
Release Date:
February 16, 2007 Studio: Universal Pictures Director: Billy Ray
Screenwriter: Billy Ray, Adam Mazer, William Rotko Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney, Dennis
Haysbert, Kathleen Quinlan, Gary Cole, Caroline Dhavernas, Bruce Davison, Mary
Jo Deschanel, Gary Cole Genre: Thriller MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for violence, sexual content and language) Official Website:
Breachmovie.net
Plot Summary: Inspired by true events,
"Breach" is a dramatic thriller set inside the halls of the FBI-the gatekeeper
of the nation's most sensitive and potentially volatile secrets.
When young Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) is promoted out of his low-level
surveillance job and into the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, his dream of becoming a full-fledged agent is on the verge of
becoming reality. Even more impressive, O'Neill is hand picked to work for
renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Cooper) within "information assurance," a new
division created to protect all classified FBI Intelligence.
But O'Neill is quickly confronted with the true reason behind his hire: Hanssen
is the sole subject of a long-term, top-secret investigation, a suspected mole
made all the more dangerous by the sheer global import of the information he is
charged with protecting. The Bureau asks O'Neill to use Hanssen's growing trust
and slowly draw the traitor out of deep cover. Engaged in a lethal game of
spy-versus-spy without the benefit of a cover story or backup, O'Neill finds
himself fighting to bring down Hanssen before the treacherous double-agent can
destroy O'Neill, his family and the nation they are both sworn to serve.
Following his success with the electrifying and acclaimed "Shattered Glass,"
writer/director Billy Ray explores more deeply the disillusionment and
questionable moral mentorship of a young idealist in "Breach". The film is
produced by Bobby Newmyer ("Training Day"), Scott Strauss ("Mindhunters") and
Scott Kroopf ("The Last Samurai"). Universal Pictures will release the film in
North America and Kimmel International will distribute globally.
EN 5 Second Review:
Its a docudrama, although a decent one, not exactly
Saturday night date material.
It's
not interested in cheap thrills or playing gotcha with the audience.
(Which isn't to say parts of it aren't exhilarating) Robert Wilonsky: Village Voice
Ray's more interested in dissecting the relationship between
O'Neill and Hanssen, who resists the kid initially but then takes him in
as one of his own, insisting that they go to church together and
inviting him into his home. As his affection for the boy grows, Hanssen
ends up trusting the last person on earth he ever should have...more
Tedious
film turns riveting Hanssen spy case into boring story about
office politics Bruce Newman: Mercury News
You begin to suspect the FBI may be
the world's most boring bunch of crime busters during
``Breach,'' a movie that urgently asserts itself as a spy
thriller, but can never quite escape the Bureau's true
preoccupation with who is getting the window offices, and
who is on a non-window career track....more
Chris
Cooper is the whole, haunted show in "Breach." Michael Phillips: Chicago Tribune
Cooper is the reason to see the film, which was
photographed by Tak Fujimoto in the dour tones he brought to
a more flagrant realm of evil, and FBI detective work, in
"The Silence of the Lambs." A more indulgent actor than
Cooper would've had the wrong sort of fun with Hanssen....more
We would love to know what you think, sound off on the
movie message boards and let us know how you liked the movie!
EN 5 Second Review:
Its a docudrama, although a decent one, not exactly
Saturday night date material.
It's
not interested in cheap thrills or playing gotcha with the audience.
(Which isn't to say parts of it aren't exhilarating)