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Breach (2007) DVD Review
Breach (2007) DVD Credits:
Breach (2007) Directed by:
Billy Ray
Breach (2007) Written by:
Billy Ray
Breach (2007) Cast:
Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe, Laura Linney, Dennis Haysbert, Kathleen Quinlan, Gary Cole, Caroline Dhavernas, Bruce Davison, Mary Jo Deschanel
Breach (2007) Released by:
Not available at this time
Region:
1
Breach (2007) DVD Release Date:
11th June 2007
Our Rating: Extras Rating:

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Breach (2007) Synopsis:

Inspired by true events, "Breach" is a dramatic thriller set inside the halls of the FBI-the gatekeeper of the nation's most sensitive and potentially volatile secrets. When young Eric O'Neill (Phillippe) is promoted out of his low-level surveillance job and into the headquarters of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, his dream of becoming a full-fledged agent is on the verge of becoming reality. Even more impressive, O'Neill is hand picked to work for renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Cooper) within "information assurance," a new division created to protect all classified FBI Intelligence. But O'Neill is quickly confronted with the true reason behind his hire: Hanssen is the sole subject of a long-term, top-secret investigation, a suspected mole made all the more dangerous by the sheer global import of the information he is charged with protecting. The Bureau asks O'Neill to use Hanssen's growing trust and slowly draw the traitor out of deep cover. Engaged in a lethal game of spy-versus-spy without the benefit of a cover story or backup, O'Neill finds himself fighting to bring down Hanssen before the treacherous double-agent can destroy O'Neill, his family and the nation they are both sworn to serve. Following his success with the electrifying and acclaimed "Shattered Glass," writer/director Billy Ray explores more deeply the disillusionment and questionable moral mentorship of a young idealist in "Breach". The film is produced by Bobby Newmyer ("Training Day"), Scott Strauss ("Mindhunters") and Scott Kroopf ("The Last Samurai"). Universal Pictures will release the film in North America and Kimmel International will distribute globally.

Breach (2007) DVD Review:

With a number of underappreciated actors, no real gunplay or explosions, and being based on a true story, Breach easily flew under most audience member’s radar when it was released in theaters earlier this year. Although Chris Cooper has won an Academy Award and Ryan Phillippe was nominated both actors are far too talented for their own good right now. Just as many actors before, these two are so talented that they make each role seem natural and easy. It is difficult to catch them acting. For this reason they are underappreciated, but it also makes them perfect for this film. As much emphasis was placed on The Good Shepherd being a fantastic spy film, Breach easily surpasses these claims with an equally true story which is far more suspenseful.

Inspired by the incredible true story about the most dangerous mole ever found in U.S. intelligence history Breach tells the story of Eric O’Neill (Phillippe), a clerk and spy sent in to catch the mole in the act of treason. Eager to become a successful F.B.I. agent, O’Neill is happy to keep an eye on renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper), a man who is rumored to have a secret pornographic website as a side project that could deeply shame the bureau. The problem is that as determined as O’Neill is doesn’t change Hanssen’s appearance of moral integrity despite disregard for protocol. Hanssen is somewhat of a computer genius, able to solve many filing problems within the bureau, and also extremely capable of hiding much as well, which makes spying on him a task O’Neill must work at to complete. Hanssen’s office is even littered with religious icons and his demeanor suggests that he is not the type of man to throw his career away over pornography, and indeed as O’Neill digs deeper he finds that there is much more going on within the high security offices. When he discovers that he was actually sent in with far more at stake O’Neill’s marriage begins to falter as well.

What makes the film suspenseful is as simple as you might imagine from a spy film based on a true story, simple and subtle. It is the suspense of O’Neill trying desperately to remember which pocket in his boss’s briefcase to return an item he borrowed temporarily as the man returns to the office. Because of the high security area that they are working in, their door has two levels of security, the first emitting a loud beeping sound. This sound is a warning which often causes O’Neill to complete whatever spying he was getting done while Hanssen is out of the office. These scenes are somewhat predictable, but are nestled comfortably within a well constructed script, making a remarkably entertaining film.

The DVD includes over 18 minutes of deleted or alternate scenes. Although some of the scenes are well acted, written and directed, just as the movie was, there are just as many scenes which just seem regurgitated for DVD. “Breaching the Truth” is a featurette about the making of this specific true story and “Anatomy of a Character” is a specific look at Chris Cooper’s transformation into Hanssen. There is even a segment from Dateline about the infamous double-agent. What is truly remarkable is the commentary by the writer and director Billy Ray as he is joined with the former FBI operative Eric O’Neill.

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Breach (2007) DVD review written by: Ryan Izay

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