A good movie to watch!
Though not of the same quality as' James Bond' movies, 'Breach' does have a good plot, cast: Chris Cooper (as the famous 'mole' within the FBI network, Robert Hanssen), Laura Linney (the FBI agent who was head of the hunt for proof of Hanssen's treachery, Kate Burroughs), and the good looking Ryan Phillippe (as the young and new FBI agent who was a computer specialist, Eric O'Neil).
Terrific performance from the cast, the movie retold a story (based on real facts) of how the FBI for many years, tried to catch a mole within their midst, but never managed to do it successfully. In the mean time, their mole kept revealing FBI's important secrets to the enemy, helping them removing off FBI's assets, agents, etc.
Knowing finally who the mole was, but having no definite proof, agent Kate Burroughs cooly pulled young Eric O'Neil in, under the pretense of being Hassen's clerk, to report Hanssen's detailed activities and his contacts over some underhanded sexual misconduct charges.
The task was not an easy one to young O'Neil, for he seemed to never have had to resort to any 'secret' activities before. Few other complications:
- Hassen was an old hand in this spy game. He seemed to constantly cover himself extremely well under the mould of a devoted Church frequent goer, a loyal and caring husband and a faithful and always hard working, environmental consciencious FBI agent. He was a real charismatic person who could charm young O'Neil easily.
- O'Neil could not explain to his young wife of his new tasks, due to the sensitivity of the matter. Hassen in his own way, tried to find out all O'Neil's activities via O'Neil's young wife, but not very successful.
Confronted Burroughs over the real issue related to Hassen, O'Neil was told the truth about Hassen's treachery over the 25 years he worked for FBI. Realised that the matter was above his ability, O'Neil did not want to continue with this dangerous mouse and cat game, which to him, not worth the break-up of his marriage. Of course, he was finally convinced to do this for the sake of his own country.
Chris Cooper acted brilliantly as a scheming, cunning, arrogant, deceiful, selfish and dangerous man, who played the spy game only because he was bored and happened to like outwit FBI, completely forgeting that he was causing tremendous and extensive damages to his own country and comrades.
Laura Linney was charming, persuasive, full of determination, in her role as the head of the hunting organisation for the traitor.
Ryan Phillippe as a fresh breath of wind, unexpectantly put in the treacherous game, and because of his quick wit, direct, honest, he managed to help FBI outwitted the famous mole ever in US history, only because he tried his best: be himself.
For viewers who like psychology, this is a wonderful movie to watch. To those who expect all the actions and martial arts, this movie is not it!
