In director Billy Ray's complex thriller, CIA rookie Eric O'Neill becomes an unwitting pawn in a game to trap the most damaging spy in US history - who just happens to be his boss.

Even as O'Neill's suspicions grow about double agent Robert Hanssen, the two men develop a mutual respect, but ultimately Hanssen has to be exposed.

Breach features strong central performances by Chris Cooper as Hanssen and Ryan Phillipe as O'Neill, and Ray skilfully builds the tension. Don't expect Bond-style action, but this is a thoughtful drama in which a man's character flaws are his undoing.

Plot twists are sketchily dealt with, however, and the cat-and-mouse game fails to deliver.