BREACH

"Pray for me"

Wanting to get promoted to an agent, FBI operative Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) is given a posting by Special Agent Kate Burroughs (Linney) as a clerk to soon to retire Agent Robert Hanssen, with the remit to report on his activities. Told that his new boss brilliant computer analyst but also is a sexual deviant who has had many complaints from female colleagues made against him, O'Neill is ordered to document his movements and gain the trust of the man. When he makes the decision that this devout Catholic, intensely patriot man doesn't deserve this intensity of investigation, Burroughs reveals that Hanssen is not what he seems and is in fact a Russian spy.

Espionage has been a fascination of movie industry for decades but stories of spies and super secret agents are never as fascinating as the real stories.

In 2001 it was revealed that their had been a monumental breach in US national security that had led to the passing of high level secrets and the deaths of many undercover operatives during the Cold War. The revelation was it was due to one man, Robert Hanssen. The reason he had got away with for so long was because he was actually in heading the team that was looking for the mole. This quietly spoken, devoutly Catholic man went completely unnoticed for decades and it wasn't until his personal life got him noticed, his fascination with and harassment of female members of staff that the FBI started to take notice and investigate. This real life tale of espionage at the highest level was of course noticed in Hollywood and by director Billy Ray.

Told from the prospective of FBI operative Eric O'Neill, the director, who made a real splash with another real life story 'Shattered Glass' in 2003, takes the viewer on the rookie's journey as he gets to know Hanssen, gaining his confidence and respect, all the time reporting back to Special Agent Burroughs. This means you learn what Eric learns as the film progresses, drawing into the plot even though you know the inevitable conclusion. The problem with any story based on true events is that if you have any knowledge of what happened you know what is coming, so it is all about the journey getting there and 'Breach' has enough to keep you enthralled, but only just.

The reason you are fascinated by this portrayal of the story is the performances of the excellent cast. Ryan Phillippe continues to pick interesting projects and roles. As rookie FBI operative Eric O'Neill he takes on a real person who was drawn in by Hanssen, all the time gaining his assignment's confidence and keeping up his own cover. These are the roles that Phillippe really enjoys and excels in. Laura Linney is as good as ever in a smaller role as Special Agent Kate Burroughs, as is Dennis Haysbert and Gary Cole as Director Dan Plesac and Special Agent Rich Garces. Caroline Dhavernas is also very good as Eric's wife Julianna. Stealing the entire movie is the performance of the exceptional Chris Cooper as Robert Hanssen. He creates a presence of a man who is constantly on his guard, restrained and controlled with a devout belief in God but there was something not right about him. Cooper brings this to the screen with great subtlety, portraying more in a look than most actors can in a page of dialogue.

'Breach' is a fascinating look into a real life tale of espionage at the highest level. With great performances from the impressive ensemble cast, the only problem with the film is the lack of an explanation as to why he did it and how he did it. This is aside this is a movie that will draw you in from the off and show that anyone can be a traitor.