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Based on the true story of the worst case of spying in U.S. history, this taut thriller relies on an intriguing central character, brought to life brilliantly by Chris Cooper (AMERICAN BEAUTY). Director Billy Ray brings the same examining eye he brought to his previous film, SHATTERED GLASS, which chronicled Stephen Glass’s deception in filing fake news reports to his newspaper in an effort to succeed. Many of the same themes are addressed in this sad tale of former FBI agent Robert Hanssen, who for decades gave up American secrets to Russia.

We begin with hot agent in training Eric O’Neill (Ryan Phillippe, CRASH) on a stakeout, where he outshines the other trainees. He’s called in by senior agent Kate Burroughs (Laura Linney, KINSEY), who wants Eric to ride the desk of Hanssen, who is being reassigned to plan out the agency’s new computer security structure and needs to be watched because he is a sexual deviant. Eric keeps an eye on the cocky Hanssen, who on the surface appears to be a staunchly religious man dedicated to his family. Hanssen pushes Eric to embrace his Catholic faith and along with his wife Bonnie (Kathleen Quinlan, APOLLO 13) tries to push Eric’s lax protestant wife Juliana (Caroline Dhavernas, HOLLYWOODLAND) into their beliefs. Hanssen is blunt and can be demeaning when Eric slips up. He isn’t shy about sharing his distain with the politics of the FBI, which have kept him from being promoted to a higher level. Eric is torn about keeping secrets from his wife and spying on a boss he has come to respect until Burroughs reveals that Hanssen is a traitor.

Cooper is great as Hanssen, a smart man who hates playing the “game” of his job. The film does a good job at hinting all along the way why Hanssen decided to spy for the Russians, which cost the country he loved billions of dollars as well as other agents’ lives. Partly it’s to prove just how smart he is. In some way it’s for revenge against a country and an FBI that has become corrupt in his eyes. Cooper brings a superior indignation to his performance that’s pitch perfect. We believe on an emotional level why this individual would do what he is doing, despite all the contradictions that it presents in his personality. Hanssen is a hypocrite, but he has a justification for everything that he does.

Phillippe probably gives the best performance of his career in a fairly thankless role. The character isn’t nearly as rich as Hanssen and often gets overshadowed. Additionally, Eric’s struggle with the demands of his job on his relationship with his wife is something we’ve seen many times before. However, Phillippe still makes us care, giving us our in road into the world. We root for him, because we want him to succeed and catch Hanssen. It’s a case where a weaker hero is lifted up by a great villain. Moreover, Linney adds a nice touch of dry humor as Burroughs. She also makes the best statements regarding the personal toll Hanssen’s spying caused on the agency.

BREACH rides the shoulders of one great central character. However, the thriller elements bring us to the edge of our seat as we hold our breath to see how Eric will work his way out of various predicaments. History or political buffs will find this film fascinating. Thriller fans won’t be let down either. The film mixes character moments with procedural elements well. Part of what makes the film so captivating is the amount of damage one disgruntled man can cause when he’s smarter than most of the people around him. It’s scarier than many horror movies when you think about it.