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Chris Cooper gives a scene stealing performance in Breach as Robert Hansen, the F.B.I agent who betrayed his country by selling secrets to the Soviet Union,the greatest security Breach in U.S history. This is helmed by director Billy Ray who's first film was the entertaining Shattered Glass and costars Ryan Phillippe and Laura Linney.Phillippe is good in this movie and Linney is somewhat underutilized but both are out-shined by Cooper who's performance is good enough to garner awards attention but will likely be overlooked due to the early release date.

Breach follows the last days of Robert Hansen(Cooper) leading up to his capture and how the young upstart agent Eric O'Neill(Philleppe) was able to bring him down. This movie has a real cat and mouse feel to it and at times you are on the edge of your seats. The real drama though is when they show how O'Neill is able to gain the trust of Hansen, a man who's whole life has been dependent upon him being able to detect a liar or a rat. Now I don't want to give to much away because these types of movies are better with the less you know but it is satisfying right up to the credits.

Now saying that I did have one problem with this movie. It really only shows how O'Neill(Philleppe) brought down Hansen(Cooper) and insight into the type of person Hansen was and what would drive him to betray his country. It doesn't show how Hansen really did any of the spying or his works with his contacts or anything like that. If you wish to see a movie about Hansen that goes more into the actually spying I recommend you watch Master Spy, a TV movie with William Hurt playing Hansen that is now available on DVD.

With that being said this is a really entertaining tense movie which is in my opinion the best movie of this year so far. As far as spy movies go it the best in years, it's right up there with the underrated The Falcon and the Snowman and shouldn't be missed by anybody who enjoys those types of movies. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Learn more about this author, Josh Pielak.
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