It's not often that I go into a movie or buy a film completely blind. Most of the time I've gotten a bit of background, watched the trailer and probably read some press. So it is extremely rare that a blind film really knocks my socks off.Such is the case with Breach. I bought it knowing little more than the name and solely on the indirect recommendation of the The Film Lounge's very own Jacob Rosdail, who very rarely makes a recommendation that doesn't pan out. He spoke. I bought. It impressed!
Breach is a spy movie. However, it isn't Bourne and it certainly isn't Bond. In fact, it isn't even Spy Game. It's based on a true story of very recent history involving the single-most damaging domestic spy ever to infiltrate the United States intelligence community - ex-FBI and Russian spy Robert Hansson.
To tell the details of the story would be to basically teach a history lesson so I forgo that route and tell you why this film impressed me so much. Two things: the performances and the style of the film. First, in my opinion Chris Cooper gave an award-worthy performance in his turn as Robert Hansson. Hansson is a riddle inside of a puzzle and somewhere buried behind his stone-faced exterior and very vocal opinion of the FBI he is a truly strange, lonely and egotistical man whose motives in life were perhaps ultimately unknown. Even though he was caught in the act of espionage, it would be an error to call him stupid and unintelligent; he knew how to play the game, manipulate the system and play both sides without either side knowing the truth. Cooper embodied this all in his portrayal, so well in fact that I found myself both despising him and pitying him (Hansson) at the same time. In short, it was simply one of the most engaging and entertaining performances I have seen in awhile, and I watched The Good Shepherd.
The same was true for Ryan Phillipe who portrayed FBI specialist Eric O'Neill. O'Neill was the man hand-picked to spy on Hansson and the one who ultimately facilitated his capture. An aspiring agent-in-waiting, O'Neill was thrown into the operation not fully understanding what it was he was doing or what the FBI was trying to accomplish. His confusion, conflicted feelings and personal stress were brought to life by Phillipe and made real and believable. His performance matched up well with Cooper's. Ultimately, when it mattered most, Phillipe delivered a solid dramatic turn.
Finally, in what was a strong support role, Laura Linney played O'Neill's superior to whom he directly reported. Her character was a no-nonsense, veteran but tested agent. Her inner struggle was the realization that everything she had spent her career working to accomplish had been systematically undone by Hansson, leaving her and her colleagues to wonder what their work had even been for. If Hansson wasn't caught, the answer would be a disheartening and depressing "nothing". Linney brought a sense of strength to her character but with enough emotion to let you know that she was a real person, not just a another suit. That latter element was crucially important to the story because her ability to help O'Neill stay the course is what allowed him to complete his job in a situation that seemed to him to be far beyond his grasp.
Breach was directed by Billy Ray, the writer and director of 2003's Shattered Glass, also based on a true story. I didn't realize Breach was done by the same director until after the film was over, but I kept thinking of Shattered Glass while watching it. The reason is Ray's distinct style to approaching his films. It boarders on documentary while keeping one foot firmly planted in the realm of dramatic cinema. His ability to capture the most pedestrian details as they actually are in the real world as opposed to a fictional rendition creates an absorbing sense of authenticity. That, coupled with his excellent ability to get the most out of his actors, creates film experiences that are totally unique and completely engrossing. (In Shattered Glass, Peter Sarsgaard gave an amazing supporting performance which garnered him much critical acclaim.)
Ray has only directed two films. I own them both. His work is most definitely quality and too overlooked. So I'll give him the plug here - check out these two films, especially Breach. It was a very pleasant surprise and a happy addition to my library. 9/10
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