Breach
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Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 59 Ratings

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  • Starring: Chris Cooper, Dennis Haysbert, Ryan Phillippe
  • Summary: Inspired by true events, Breach is a dramatic thriller set inside the halls of the FBI -- the gatekeeper of the nation's most sensitive and potentially volatile secrets. Following his success with the electrifying and acclaimed "Shattered Glass," co-writer/director Billy Ray explores more deeply the disillusionment and questionable moral mentorship of a young idealist. [Universal Pictures]… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 36
  3. Negative: 0 out of 36
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Kenneth Turan
    90
    Filled with tension, deception and bravura acting, Breach is a crackling tale of real-life espionage that doubles as a compelling psychological drama.
  2. Salon.com
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    80
    Cooper also pulls off the near-impossible, making us feel dashes of sympathy for this twisted and unscrupulous man.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    80
    In this film, everything comes down to the acting. Chris Cooper, one of our finest screen actors, gets inside the mysterious traitor. Ryan Phillippe has just the right gung-ho determination tempered with a touch of naivete as O'Neill. Meanwhile, Laura Linney nails the role of a career agent.
  4. Empire
    Reviewed by: Kim Newman
    60
    Cold and cerebral, with simmering suspense rather than outright excitement, this is a feel-the-quality-of-the-acting movie. It can’t answer all sorts of questions, but does take a scary mug shot of a subtle monster.

See all 36 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. Lopez17
    10
    On February18,2001 Attorney General John Ashcroft made a public televised announcement that one of the FBI's highest ranking agents Robert Hanssen had been charged with selling American secrets to Russia for more than US$1.4 million in cash and diamonds over a 22-year period. On 6 July 2001, he pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of espionage. He was then sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. His activities have been described as "possibly the worst intelligence disaster in US history." Billy Rayâ… Expand
  2. TonyB.
    8
    Far superior to "The Good Shepherd," to which it has been compared, "Breach" is one of 2007's best films. It is extremely well written, acted, directed, edited and photographed. With all due respect to Chris Cooper, who has become one of the critics' darlings, let's not forget the excellent work done here by Laura Linney and Ryan Phillippe. She is as capable as ever, and he is one of our more underrated actors.… Expand
  3. Tss5078
    7
    Breach is a movie based on actual events, in which a rookie FBI agent goes undercover to find a Russian spy inside the U.S. Government. While the story is a good one, the film moves VERY slowly. In the end, it's pretty awesome what this agent did and what he was able to find. The story could have been told in a different way thou, one that would have kept the audiences attention better. It's a good story with a couple of great performances, but its not easy to sit through.… Expand
  4. JoshuaS.
    4
    This movie is horrendous. They tell the most boring part of the story, the acting is TV melodrama grade, and the script is unintentionally hilarious. I am genuinely shocked that so many critics liked this movie! I tried so hard to be on board the first 20 minutes, but I could not stop myself from laughing. Cooper over acts, Linney phones it in and Phillepe and his wife are soooooooooo bad. Seriously, what movie are you people watching?… Expand

See all 38 User Reviews

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