"Breach" and "Music and Lyrics"

I can't think of 2 more different movies, but I saw them both this week and liked them both very much.

"Breach" is based on a true story. It stars Chris Cooper (who was FABULOUS) as Robert Hanssen, an FBI analyst who sold information to the Soviets and (later) the Russians. Ryan Phillipe plays Eric O'Neill, the FBI flunky who is put in a position to help catch Hanssen in the act. Laura Linney is quite good as the agent to whom Eric reports. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was still on the edge of my seat at points. I highly recommend it.

"Music & Lyrics" is a delightful piece of fluff. Hugh Grant plays Alex Fletcher, a former 80s pop star from a group called (appropriately enough) "Pop." The movie opens with a music video of their biggest hit, "Pop goes my heart." Hugh does all his own singing, and he really holds his own. Here is the video, courtesy of YouTube. I was too old in the 80s to pay much attention to MTV, but I know enough about 80s music to have found this video absolutely hysterical. The movie itself is adorable. Alex is asked by a Britney Spears-type named Cora to write her a love song by the end of the week. Alex discovers that Drew Barrymore (his plant lady) is good with rhyming, so he asks for her help writing the song. Alex is still living in the 80s, performing at county fairs and amusement parks, so he really needs this job. Drew's character (Sophie) is not interested, but she finally gives in. Anyway, without giving away too much of the story, I'll just say that I enjoyed this movie very much and can see myself buying it when it comes out. Hugh Grant looks like he's having an absolute blast, and the outtakes or "making-of" (if any) should be great.

Oh, here is another clip of Hugh singing. It reminds me of when I turned 40 in 1999 -- a couple of girlfriends who were also turning 40 and I went to Great Adventure in New Jersey to see teen idols from our era -- Peter Noone (of Herman's Hermits), Davey Jones (of the Monkees) and Bobby Sherman (sawooooooooooooooon!). It was great. This sea of 40-somethings singing along while their husbands and children were on the outskirts pretending they were alone.