Ryan Phillippe plays FBI agent Eric O'Neill who lands the odd assignment of being the assistant to Robert Hanssen (played by the always creepy Chris Cooper). O’Neil was sent as Hanssen’s assistant (as a cover) to spy on him and expose Hanssen’s sexually deviant alter ego that runs the risk of embarrassing the FBI. As O’Neill sleuths, his assignment becomes much more as he uncovers more and more disturbing details about his new boss.

This is the incredible true story of an FBI agent that is spying for the KGB who can tell if anyone is lying at anytime. It makes O'Neill's job tense and stressful and his relationship with his wife suffers, but O'Neill uses his Catholicism to his advantage when he finds out that Hanssen is a strict Catholic, or so it seems.

This film was was very well done, the writing, the directing, and the acting. Chris Cooper gives another great performance; this is one of the most underrated actors of today. Laura Linney plays a no-nonsense boss to O’Neill who he reports to on the goings-on of Hanssen. And Phillippe was a great choice to play this up-and-coming agent for the Bureau.

One of the reasons that this story is unbelievable is the fact not only is it true, but Hanssen had everyone at the FBI fooled for many many years, so much so that at one point in the history of this ‘unknown’ spy, they put Hanssen at the head of the committee to undercover the mole. It turns out he was looking for himself. I don't want to give more away about the plot and what happens because the less you know, the more you will enjoy it. This is a character-driven movie about their relationships with one another, not so much an action movie. But it does have its tense moments and delivers in the end.

What the DVD Offers