The Sandspur

Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment

The title "Breach" comes from a clip of a Feb. 19, 2001, news conference statement by
John Ashcroft that opens the film. In describing the arrest the day before of veteran FBI agent Robert Hanssen for spying, the then attorney general says "a very serious breach in the security of the United States." As the movie unfolds this turns out to be a bit of an understatement.

Although real life espionage may not be as glamorous as many of the Hollywood films portray it, Breach has strong characters
and solid writing that make it a bone chilling portrayal of the espionage that goes on within our country. This political drama stars Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney, and
Chris Cooper. Breach portrays the two weeks leading up to the arrest of FBI mole Agent Robert Hanssen; this is the last chapter of
Hanssen's long history of espionage. He has been spying for the Soviet Union and Russia for over twenty years trading the secrets of
the US government for cash and diamonds.

Phillippe plays Eric O'Neill, a new member of the FBI who longs to be an agent. He is brought onto the case to buddy up with Agent
Hanssen before Hanssen destroys O'Neill's family and country. At first O'Neill is just told to keep an eye on Hanssen because the
Bureau thinks that he is a sexual predator. Little does O'Neill know that this devote Catholic with strong morals is actually committing one of the biggest crimes in
the United States history.

Although a little predictable, the writing is creative and keeps you on your edge. At times a little unrealistic, for the most part the storyline sticks to the facts of the
situation. The movies success is in large part due to actors; all three of the lead actors deliver straightforward but excellent performances. Coopers character dominates the
fi lm; with his frightening presence he terrifies everyone he comes into contact with. He brings a brutal reality to his character making even the audience fear him. The one liners and jokes about current
US politics add a comical edge to the movie. The story is based on actual events, which adds a level of fright and makes you think
twice about our own government and FBI agents.

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