Shattered Glass Movie Review:


"Shattered Glass" is a compelling true tale of journalism during the late nineties. Many know about the story of famous journalist Stephen Glass
(Hayden Christensen), who fabricated stories for the popular political magazine the New Republic among others. In the essence of other journalistic films (broadcast & print) such as "All the President’s Men," "The Insider" and "Network," "Shattered Glass" comfortably joins their company as important story of journalist ethics.

Glass is a twenty-four year old phenom journalist for the New Republic, but also contributed stories to other popular works such as Rolling Stone and
George magazines. Everyone in the New Republic’s office loves Stephen for his sincerity and terrific stories. The stories become eye openers and pieces of entertainment for readers across America, and Stephen dreams of one day receiving the Pulitzer. Glass’ latest article is about a hacker at a convention who frightens a huge corporation to give him money, which also kills his competition. The piece is insightful and funny, but when a web-based magazine writer named Adam Penenberg (Steve Zahn) begins raising questions about ghostly
sources of the piece, Glass finds himself in hot water. Penenberg correspondingly first contacts the New Republic’s freshly promoted editor Chuck Lane (Peter Sarsgaard), who likes Glass, but is a "by the book" editor. As Glass continuously makes excuses and plans of diversions for Chuck, the story unfolds this shocking tale of a real life journalist being very imaginative, but full of
falsehoods.

Stephen Glass is what every editor in any writing or creative profession has nightmares about. Glass’ actions are examples of the worst codes of
ethical conduct to break as a journalist. With journalists or writers, this film strikes a cord. The film also shows how a personality that everyone likes can also be set on a pedestal above all, to have a slap on the wrist when that person does such wrong things as inventing stories for readers. Chuck Lane and Adam Penenberg are the heroes of this story; there should be more journalists
like them.

"Shattered Glass" was adapted and directed by first time filmmaker Billy Ray from Buzz Bissinger’s Vanity Fair article about Glass. The film was also
executive produced by Tom Cruise and his partner Paula Wagner. Ray’s choices throughout the film are very real, there is nothing flashy about his work,
except he effectively massages and then presents the story. His use of Glass as a narrator and flashbacks is timid, but it does not hurt the film crucially. It is admirable that Ray just lays the blueprints, and just lets this appalling story tell it self so well, the direction is very simple and all aspects are clear. Some might perceive that this film could have just as well been a cable television movie, in which it could have, but it is still a fantastic film.

Hayden Christensen, who play a whiny Anakin Skywalker in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" delivers his best work as Glass. Christensen’s tactics and appearance of Glass are conceit and poised. Two co-stars who
worked together in "Boys Don’t Cry," Peter Sargaard and Chloe Sevigny rise above
the rest of the cast with their performances in the film. In smaller role, Sevigny is solid as one of the New Republic’s associate editors Caitlin. Sargaard
is just brilliant as the newly promoted editor who follows his ethics to determine if the accusations of Glass’ stories are true. Sargaard could very well
land an Oscar nomination this year for Best Supporting Actor. Steve Zahn is also admirable as the online journalist who first accuses Glass of fabrication. My only minor complaint of the film if that there should have been more of
Zahn’s character Adam Penenberg in the film.

"Shattered Glass" is a little gem of a film that relies on the story and character interactions to drive it. The film is told realistically by first filmmaker Billy Ray about the startling actions of journalist Stephen Glass. There is an underlying power to this film, and every person involved in journalism should see it.

Grade: B+

12/12/03

Joseph Tucker

OK, so journalism isn't the most exciting theme for a movie! But writer-director Ray channels the spirit of All the President's Men into this gripping and insightful true story. Stephen Glass (Christensen) was one of the youngest members of The New Republic's editorial staff in 1998, a shooting star with an ability to wow his editor (Azaria) with an entertaining pitch followed by a pithy and revealing article. He was clearly going places--heading for a Pulitzer before age 30. So when a writer at Forbes (Zahn) notices some anomalies in one of his articles, his slightly antagonistic new editor (Sarsgaard) and his loyal colleagues (Sevigny, Lynskey, Donella and Kirby) stick up for him ... as long as they can.

Ray tells the story with an intriguing framing device as Glass returns to his high school to talk to a classroom of writing students who hang on his every word. The complex flashback structure is cleverly and coherently edited to keep us right with Glass through his story--we only begin to really doubt him when he starts doubting himself. Credit for this effective approach goes to the superb script, as well as a shaded and absorbing performance from Christensen as a nice guy with a huge streak of humility, who just might be a pathological liar. Sarsgaard and Sevigny are also worth noting for their excellent work as people trying not to let their personal feelings cloud their judgement. Sarsgaard's especially noteworthy in the film's most complex and sympathetic role. This solid material makes it more than a little frustrating that Ray directs it like a TV movie--squeaky-clean production values, silky camera work, glib music. Even with the momentous subject matter, the film feels far too wholesome for its own good. But as the story starts cranking up, it really grabs hold of the audience, leading up to a brilliant conclusion that elegantly understates the film's seriously timely and essential central message. A must-see for any aspiring journalist.

Rich Cline

Stephen Glass (Christensen) was at the top of his game. Aged only 26, he had become the most gifted staff writer at one of the most respected magazines in the US, The New Republic. His stories had made waves within the journalistic community but when his latest piece “Hacker Heaven” hit newsstands, a fledgling Internet publication looked into the story and found that not all of Stephen’s quotes and facts were actually true.

Hayden Christensen tries step out of the shadow of Anakin Skywalker to answer his critics and prove he can actually act. In Shattered Glass he succeeds.

Acting in one of the largest franchises in cinematic history can help or hinder your career. For every Harrison Ford there is a Mark Hamill. After a slightly harsh critical assessment of his acting ability in that movie from a galaxy far, far away, the role of Stephen Glass is as far removed as he could get from that larger than life, iconic character. This is a role that Christensen can really get his teeth into and shows there is more to him that just eccentric casting.

He is really helped by the fact that the subject matter and the character he portrays are so fascinating that you can’t help been drawn into the story. The rise and fall of Stephen Glass takes you into the world of journalism where magazines ruled and the influence of the Internet was still in its infancy. The New Republic magazine, the in-flight choice of Air Force One, was a market leader, so the fact that one of its star journalists was fabricating stories was an extraordinary one. This grabs you from the off as you witness the darling of the newsroom turning into a gibbering mess as his house of cards comes crashing down around him.

The supporting cast of young upcoming actors take centre stage as Stephen’s friends and co-workers. Chloë Sevigny and Melanie Lynskey prove again that they are fine character actresses. As Glass’s best friends and most hardened supporters Caitlin and Amy, they find it incomprehensible that he could do such a thing. Peter Sarsgaard is exceptional as New Republic editor Chuck Lane. He plays the slightly nervous and overwhelmed character extremely well and his transformation from quiet, owner controlled puppet into a first rate editor is testament to Sarsdgaard’s unassuming style and skill. There is also good support in smaller roles by Steve Zahn, Rosario Dawson and Hank Azaria.

Shattered Glass is a fascinating look at a man who just loved been the centre of attention far too much. He had to be adored by the people he worked with and within the journalistic community. While his true motivations or background are not clearly revealed, the story grips you from the off and the superb performances throughout make this an absorbing look at the pursuit of fame and recognition at any cost.

Star Rating = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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