Breach (2007)

Director:

Billy Ray

Writers (WGA):

Adam Mazer (screenplay) &
William Rotko (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Inspired by the true story of the greatest security breach in U.S. history

Plot:

Based on the true story, FBI upstart Eric O'Neill enters into a power game with his boss, Robert Hanssen, an agent who was ultimately convicted of selling secrets to the Soviet Union.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Video Footage | Betrayal | Church | Husband Wife Relationship

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Chris Cooper	...	Robert Hanssen
Ryan Phillippe	...	Eric O'Neill
Laura Linney	...	Kate Burroughs
Caroline Dhavernas	...	Juliana O'Neill
Gary Cole	...	Rich Garces
Dennis Haysbert	...	Dean Plesac
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Bonnie Hanssen
Bruce Davison	...	John O'Neill
Jonathan Watton	...	Geddes
Tom Barnett	...	Jim Olsen
Jonathan Potts	...	D.I.A. Suit
David Huband	...	Photographer
Catherine Burdon	...	Agent Nece
Scott Gibson	...	Agent Sherin
Courtenay J. Stevens	...	Agent Loper (as Courtenay Stevens)

Also Known As:

Hanssen (USA) (working title)
The 11th Hour (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content and language.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43010) | Finland:K-11 | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Norway:11 | Sweden:7 | Ireland:12A | UK:12A | Portugal:M/12 | Denmark:7 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Brazil:12 | South Korea:15 | Germany:12 | France:Unrated | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Arlington, Virginia, USA

Company:

Double Agent Productions Inc.

Trivia:

The German translation of the title is "Unmasked", the German alternate title means "Unmasked - Treason on the top level".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: There are three glimpses of the surreptitious sex video made by Hanssen for his friend as O'Neill is watching. In the final one the camera has suddenly zoomed in for a much tighter shot from the previous two and then is seen tilting down as Bonnie Hanssen reclines, unlikely behavior for a hidden camera.

Quotes:

Eric O'Neill: Is it worth it? Being an agent.
Kate Burroughs: Ask me when we've caught him.

Movie Connections:

References La ciociara (1960)

Soundtrack:

Near You

The best of the year to date

The history behind the FBI and the CIA have always fascinated me and I have studied this history for many years. I am well aware of the story of Robert Hanssen, and had to see the film because of that. I had my doubts about it, being the avid movie-goer that I am that they would try to "Hollywood-ize" it too much, as is almost always the case when a true story hit the silver screen. This is not the case with "Breach".

Some of the things in the movie are stretched, as is always the case, but it still remains very loyal to the truth. "Breach" does a wonderful job of taking theses slightly exaggerated parts to increase the feeling of drama and suspense, and doing it the right way.

Another bright spot is Oscar Winner Chris Cooper's fantastic portrayal of Hanssen. Cooper does such a great job of capturing Hanssen's intimidation of young Eric O'Neill and his increasing paranoia. There is no doubt in my mind that Cooper's role is Oscar worthy. It would be a shame if he were not nominated.

This film is excellent from beginning to end and is without a doubt the best spy movie I have seen in ages. The film itself, like Chris Cooper, I believe is Oscar worthy.