Breach (2007)

Director:

Billy Ray

Writers (WGA):

Adam Mazer (screenplay) &
William Rotko (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

16 February 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Inspired by the true story of the greatest security breach in U.S. history

Plot:

Based on the true story, FBI upstart Eric O'Neill enters into a power game with his boss, Robert Hanssen, an agent who was ultimately convicted of selling secrets to the Soviet Union.

Plot Keywords:

FBI | Video Footage | Betrayal | Church | Husband Wife Relationship

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Chris Cooper	...	Robert Hanssen
Ryan Phillippe	...	Eric O'Neill
Laura Linney	...	Kate Burroughs
Caroline Dhavernas	...	Juliana O'Neill
Gary Cole	...	Rich Garces
Dennis Haysbert	...	Dean Plesac
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Bonnie Hanssen
Bruce Davison	...	John O'Neill
Jonathan Watton	...	Geddes
Tom Barnett	...	Jim Olsen
Jonathan Potts	...	D.I.A. Suit
David Huband	...	Photographer
Catherine Burdon	...	Agent Nece
Scott Gibson	...	Agent Sherin
Courtenay J. Stevens	...	Agent Loper (as Courtenay Stevens)

Also Known As:

Hanssen (USA) (working title)
The 11th Hour (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content and language.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43010) | Finland:K-11 | Australia:M | Singapore:NC-16 | Norway:11 | Sweden:7 | Ireland:12A | UK:12A | Portugal:M/12 | Denmark:7 | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Brazil:12 | South Korea:15 | Germany:12 | France:Unrated | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Arlington, Virginia, USA

Company:

Double Agent Productions Inc.

Trivia:

In the film, Hanssen has surreptitiously videotaped himself having sex with his wife and instructed O'Neill to mail the tape to his friend James Hofsteller in Germany. Actually, Hanssen set up a closed-circuit camera and monitor (using equipment belonging to the FBI) so his friend, whose name is actually Jack Hoschouer, could watch during his visits to the Hanssens.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Hansson's car in the film has the Virginia license plate number F8H-9472. The actual FBI affidavit submitted to the Federal court in order to get a search warrant says that the license plate number of Hansson's Taurus is ZCW-9538.

Quotes:

Robert Hanssen: Do you pray the Rosary every day?
Eric O'Neill: Not every day Sir, no.
Robert Hanssen: You should.

Movie Connections:

References Black Robe (1991)

Soundtrack:

Near You

Breach is excellent true-to-life story of Robert Hanssen

Breach is based on the true story of the capture of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent responsible for many treasonous acts against the United States. Chris Cooper is excellent throughout in portraying a Catholic family man who goes to church constantly with his wife and kids while hiding his sexual perversions. Ryan Phillippe is Eric O'Neill, Hanssen's new assistant who is assigned by boss Laura Linney to keep tabs on Hanssen to use as evidence against him. Caroline Dhavernas as Eric's European wife who wants Eric to come clean about his job, Gary Cole as another agent, and Dennis Haysbert as Linney's superior round out the fine cast in a film that slowly but surely builds up suspense in the various ways of snooping that brings the bureau closer to catching Hanssen in the act of treason. Don't expect James Bond or Alias action here. Do expect an excellent drama about an agent who almost slipped from the FBI's hands.