I went to see the new film, "Breach," over the weekend and enjoyed it very much. Like the film, "The Good Shepherd," it was not a shoot-em-up spy thriller of the "James Bond" type, but a very intellectual mind game film. It is not for those seeking explosions and gunfights but it is for those looking for a very tight plot and extremely good acting. It is the story of the young man who was assigned by his FBI superiors to work with Robert Hanssen, the worst traitor in US intelligence history, and to help bring him down. Hanssen is portrayed as a supremely intelligent and utterly egotistical SOB who did what he did because he viewed himself as so far above the rest of the world that they were mere mice underfoot. I don't know how accurate that portrayal is, but it certainly makes for an effective movie plot. Chris Cooper is superbly cold and nasty as Hanssen. Ryan Phillippe plays Eric O'Neill, the young clerk sent to work for Hanssen and to spy on him. He is effective in the role as a very patriotic and somewhat naive young man whose dream is to become an FBI agent. The film makes superb use of the Washington, DC, area as its setting, much better use than many other movies filmed here in DC. As one who grew up in the Washington area and who lives here, I feel qualified to make that comment.
I recommend this film to any who wish to take the time to challenge their minds to follow its development. It requires some attention, but I found that attention to be amply rewarded.
I recommend this film to any who wish to take the time to challenge their minds to follow its development. It requires some attention, but I found that attention to be amply rewarded.
