I remember almost like it was yesterday that the news flashed that a traitor to the United States, Robert Hanssen, was caught selling classified secrets to the Soviet Union. I recall thinking, "Why did it take so long to catch this scumbag?" and "Why would someone sell their country out?" And what do you know, six years later Breach attempts to answer my questions and more.

The director, Billy Ray, first starts the story by introducing us to Eric O'Neill, an up and coming agent (Ryan Phillippe). O'Neill is driven by his desire to be an FBI agent and it is this determination to be seen (tackling covert operations and penning documents) that lands him squarely into the heart of the fire — he is assigned to watch the every movement of suspected traitor Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper). During the following weeks, we're given glimpses into the mind of a man who has chosen ego and money over God and country. It is ultimately his ego that leads to the downfall of the man whom many claim to be the worst spy the country has ever seen.

For the most part, the adapted story works. We all know the outcome so there weren't going to be any surprises here. Instead of car chases and gun fights, Breach presents this spy case as a psychological thriller. Hanssen and O'Neill go tit-for-tat with each other; each trying to outsmart the other without letting on that there is a game afoot. Hanssen attempts the religious and family angle, by bringing into question the strength of O'Neill's marriage and his lack of religious convictions. O'Neill counters and ultimately prevails by using Hanssen's own religious weaknesses and lack of social skills (and close friends) against him. It's clearly a case of the apprentice overtaking the master.

What I found rather bothersome though, was the attempt to humanize Hanssen. You can obviously draw your own conclusions, but I felt that this piece of shit of a man was made to look like a misunderstood and often overlooked family guy, with deep roots in the church. Of course I realize the crux of the movie is to show that a seemly impotent person can cause such great harm, yet I couldn't help but get the feeling I was supposed to feel sorry for him. We've all got problems and have serious choices to make in life, but I wouldn't expect anyone to feel pity for me if one of my decisions royally fucked things up. I'd expect a flogging and so should you.