Eric O'Neill, a computer specialist who wants to be made an agent is assigned to clerk for Robert Hanssen, a senior agent with 25 years in the FBI, and to write down everything Hanssen does. O'Neill's told it's an investigation of Hanssen's sexual habits, however Hanssen is really suspected of spying for the Soviet Union and Russia for years and being responsible for the deaths of agents working for the United States.
Ray's impression of the real Hanssen remains frighteningly opaque.
– Scott Tobias,
AV Club,
17 Feb 2007
rotten:
Ray's careful emphasis on authenticity over thrills and psychology over action is impeded by this narrative's narrow window: there's so much we can't know about what Hanssen did and why.
– Tom Charity,
CNN.com,
17 Feb 2007
fresh:
(Chris Cooper)is the principal reason why this unspectacular, low-key study of the Hanssen national security fiasco is so effective.
– Jonathan F. Richards,
Film.com,
23 Feb 2007
fresh:
Ultimately, the movie soars because of the inspired casting of Chris Cooper as Hanssen.