Ryan Phillippe

Interview By: Damaris Olivo
DamarisOlivo@TheCinemaSource.com

From teen heartthrob to serious actor, Ryan Phillippe has shown himself to be a very talented actor with an impressive range. While most of us remember him from the dark teen film Cruel Intentions, in which he starred opposite Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar, he has since quietly worked his way onto heavier projects such as the Academy Award winning Crash, and the Clint Eastwood film Flags of Our Fathers.

In his newest project, Breach, he plays FBI agent Eric O'Neill, who is hired to spy on renowned FBI agent turned spy for the Soviet Union, Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper).

For the film, Phillippe had the opportunity to consult with the real Eric O'Neill, in order to better understand his character. 'I came into the rehearsal room when I met Eric with a completely different idea of how I was going to play this part, and sitting down and talking to him for a couple of hours completely changed things,' he confesses, 'And that's exciting to me.'

Breach was a chance for Phillippe to explore his range as an actor. 'I want to get as far away from myself as I can. I want it to be about the character I'm playing and not so much about my own personal experience.'

Yet it was not all strictly work as Ryan worked with O'Neill in order to perfect his portrayal of the character. 'We're kind of close in age, we got along really well together, we're both from the east coast, there were a lot of things we kind of had in common, we enjoyed being around each other.'

After watching O'Neill work as a consultant for various departments on the set, he also learned to view the Hollywood world, which he has been part of for quite some time (ever since playing daytime television's first gay teenager in One Life to Live), in a more refreshing light. 'I'm so jaded to some degree,' he says, 'I've been doing this for so long, but to kind of see it through his eyes, and how exciting it was, it made it more exciting for me.'

So how does Ryan feel about taking on more serious roles at this stage in his life' 'I did Flags of Our Fathers, and I did 5 Fingers which no one saw. I like serious subject matters, I like true stories, I like provocative films.' He continues, 'Not junk food or fluff, those are the kinds of projects I seek out. I like to see something that I haven't seen before, something I want to see, and something that's original, and this story just had so many elements that drew me to it.' Elements such as the fact that he got the chance to work with the amazing Chris Cooper.

The opportunity to be working everyday with Chris Cooper was a master class in acting,' he says. 'I think he is if not the, he is one of the best actors working today.' He confesses, 'He's changed the way I will approach my work for the rest of my life.'

Breach, which deals with an FBI agent who steals government secrets and sells them to the Soviet Union, is a true story that is sure to get a reaction from the American public. 'Its going to push a lot of buttons, it's incredibly provocative,' says Phillippe.

How does Phillippe feel about his role in this film' 'It's the best role I've probably ever had, just in terms of the colors and the drama within the story.'

Ryan Phillippe has a great interest in entertaining as well as informing through art and film. 'You know art should push society to think and feel. And I don't want to sit in a movie and have a benign experience.' What would he rather do' 'I'd rather spend time with my kids.'

Ever the family man, Ryan looks to his grandfather, a war veteran, as his source of inspiration, and attributes him with his success. 'It was the way he lived, looking the problems in the eye, and looking at some of the ugliness or mistakes you've made and overcoming them,' he says, 'and he was a man who did that all himself from very humble beginnings and I admire him.'

The role of Eric O'Neill is one that Phillippe was born to play, and it's about time the world took notice of his talents and his range. Breach is a non-stop thriller which is sure to keep you talking about it long after the movie has ended. 'I love the idea of using art and using your work to influence, create a dialogue of some sort.' Well, playing Eric O'Neill in Breach, Ryan has definitely hit his mark.