Breach (Widescreen Edition)
by Billy Ray
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Chris Cooper, Dennis Haysbert, Gary Cole, Laura Linney, Ryan PhillippeDirector: Billy Ray
Brand: NBC Universal
Cinematographer: Tak Fujimoto
Composer: Mychael Danna
Editor: Jeffrey Ford
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Original Language); French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 110 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-06-12
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Breach (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: Intelligent & gripping, with brilliant Chris Cooper performance
Summary: 5 Stars
I didn't remember all that much about the story of the traitor Robert Hansen...but BREACH sure brought it back. In the very early years of the George W. Bush administration, before 9/11, the arrest of Hansen was a big story. I called him a traitor, rather than a double agent, because the extent of the damage he caused to the US intelligence efforts over a couple of decades was in the billions of dollars and also probably cost the lives of several KGB agents who were working for the US.
BREACH doesn't quite tell us exactly why Hansen did what he did, but it certainly creates a complex personality and gives us enough clues to draw our own conclusions. As portrayed by the brilliantly cast Chris Cooper, Hansen is highly intelligent, extremely intuitive, bitter, deeply religious, deeply paranoid, socially awkward, not well liked by his peers and also into some kinky stuff. Yet, despite his personality difficulties, he seems to be a top-notch performer and an invaluable asset. My guess would be that Hansen didn't feel valued ENOUGH b y the US, so he made himself important to the Russians.
Laura Linney (in one of her patented terse, tart performances that doesn't stretch her in the least) plays the primary agent in charge of finally proving Hansen is their man. He's been a suspect for awhile...but there's no proof. Linney conceives of an idea to place a green but up-and-coming young intelligence officer in Cooper's office as his new assistant. Ryan Phillipe, whom I don't always like too much, is very good. He comes into the film as a guy confident that he's got a lot to offer...he's got a great wife, great clothes, great brain and a lot of swagger. But as he is essentially confined to a small office with Cooper (as sterile and unexciting an office as there could possibly be!), the two men begin to affect each other. First, Hansen belittles his new helper, but Phillipe actually learns from this experiences man, and even begins to doubt that there is anything nefarious about him. But Hansen also begins to espouse his deeply held religious beliefs on Phillipe. Both men are Catholics, but Hansen is devoted to a fault...attending mass every day. His recommended cure for stress or pressure at work..."pray more."
Eventually, Phillipe ingratiates himself to some extent with his new boss...and Hansen loosens up just a little. He comes to trust this young man (as much as he can trust anyone)...and takes a somewhat unhealthy interest in his life and particularly in his wife.
One can't quite call this a cat and mouse game...because Hansen isn't chasing Phillipe. Nor is it a battle of wits, exactly, because Hansen clearly is superior there as well. But it's a battle of Phillipe's native wit and blazingly fast thinking on his feet vs. Hansen's analytical, experience brain.
Obviously, you know how this turns out...but it is the journey that is fascinating. The movie is very well written, and the direction is simple and clean. Most of the movie belongs to these two men. While Phillipe holds up his end very well, it is Chris Cooper, in an award-worthy performance, who steals the show. It is far from a flashy performance...this guy is the best actor I've ever seen to have so little charisma (although he sure turned his charisma ON in ADAPTATION!). He always looks vaguely like he has an upset stomach. He brings a particular sourness to this role, combined with great intelligence. It is as complete a characterization as one could ever hope to see in a movie. He's so riveting, that when he IS finally apprehended...you can't help but feel just a little sad seeing it coming to an end.
I'd also like to compliment Gary Cole's work as a peer of Hansen's, along with Kathleen Quinlan in a small but effective turn as Hansen's wife. Also excellent is Caroline Dhavernas in a critical supporting role as Phillipe's wife...I look forward seeing more of her in the future.
This is not an action-packed movie...but it is certainly one of the most exciting and intelligent thrillers to come along in a long time. I very heartily recommend it for adult viewers.
Also, whenever I see a "non-fiction" movie, I always wonder how close to the truth it may have been. The DVD has a bonus feature showing a 20/20 news report on the actual events, shortly after Hansen's arrest. Not only is it interesting, but it confirms how closely BREACH adhered to the real events. It is simply a great true story told very well indeed.
Summary of Breach (Widescreen Edition)
Inspired by the incredible true story of the greatest security breach in U.S. intelligence history, Breach is a spellbinding thriller starring Academy AwardŽ winner Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Academy AwardŽ 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). Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillipe, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, Caroline Dhavernas, Kathleen Quinlan, Gary Cole, Bruce Davison, Ryan Phillippe Directed by: Billy RaySimilar DVD Movies
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