DVD Review by Maggie Woods

Breach

“Every American should
know that our society is
a target in a dangerous
world” — John Ashcroft,
US Attorney, 19 February,
2001

DETERMINED TO MAKE FBI AGENT, computer specialist Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe, Crash, Gosford Park) is ostensibly working for the Bureau as a clerk to renowned operative Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper, American Beauty, The Kingdom), in this gripping spy thriller, Breach.

Featuring a superb and credible performance from Academy Award-winner Chris Cooper, Breach is based on the inconceivable true story
of the greatest security violation in the history of the FBI. The accom-plished and talented cast list also includes the deliciously ice-cool Gary Cole as Rich Garces and Dennis Haysbert, who is always a delight to see, as Dean Plesac.

After an initial uneasy few weeks, O'Neill and Hanssen seem to warm to each other and O'Neill comes to respect the older man — who appears to be a devoted husband and grandfather, a devout Catholic and a dedicated agent who doesn't drink and doesn't tell dirty jokes. Hanssen and his wife Bonnie (Kathleen Quinlan) invite O'Neill and his East Ger-man wife Juliana (Caroline Dhavernas) to attend church with them and then dine at their home, so apparently cementing their relationship. When O'Neill tells Hanssen that his mother has Parkinson's Disease, Hanssen even looks out some information for him.

However, O'Neill is soon confronted with the true reason behind his assignment. Hanssen is the subject of a long-term top-secret inves-tigation and O'Neill is approached by Agent Kate Burrows (Laura Linney), who hopes to nail Hanssen. She wants O'Neill to help draw the suspected double agent out of deep cover — a traitor, she says, who is responsible for "the worst breach in the history of US intelligence" and whom they believed had been spying for the Russians since 1985. She also tells him that Hanssen is a sexual deviant who uses strippers.

Now engaged in a lethal game of spy vs spy, where nothing is as it seems, O'Neill finds himself fighting to bring down Hanssen before the treacherous double agent can destroy him, his family and the nation they are both sworn to serve.

The screenplay is by Adam Mazer, William Rotko and Billy Ray and the story by Adam Mazer and William Rotko. Music is by Mychael Danna.

Directed by Billy Ray (Shattered Glass), Breach tells the dramatic and unmissable story of one of the most notorious spies in US history. Taking you further behind the secret doors of the FBI, the DVD con-tains over 45 minutes of fascinating in-depth 'behind the scenes' special features. Don't miss your opportunity to own this nail-biting thriller on DVD.

• Breach is available to buy (RRP £19.99) on DVD on 31 March 2008
from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment. Rated as Certificate 12.

Special features — Feature commentary with writer/director Billy Ray and former-FBI operative Eric O'Neill | 8 deleted scenes with optional commentary by writer/director Billy Ray and Editor Jeffrey Ford | 2 alternative scenes with optional commentary by writer/director Billy Ray and Editor Jeffrey Ford | Featurette Breaching the Truth (10mins 49secs) | Featurette Anatomy of a Character Brought to You by Volkswagen (6mins 47secs) | The Mole (19mins 21secs).

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