Shattered Glass

Genre: media suspense

Director: Billy Ray

Release: 2003

Studio: Lions Gate Films

Rating: -

MBiS score: 8.2/10

Beyond the Call of Duty

Young journalist Stephen Glass (Hayden Christenson) may be under-paid, overworked and under constant pressure at The New Republic but his ambition is boundless and he can write brilliantly. So brilliantly in fact that he’s earning himself quite a following at the office… and also raising eyebrows. With Chloë Sevigny (Caitlin Avey), Hank Azaria (Michael Kelly, the editor), Peter Saarsgard (Charles "Chuck" Lane), Ted Kotcheff (Marty Peretz) and Steve Zahn (Adam Penenberg).

As you might expect, SHATTERED GLASS is an interesting study of the virile, hurly-burly world of journalism and its distinctive rules… but it’s much more entertaining than didactic. Above all else, it’s a splendid showcase for Stephen Glass, a jack-in-the-box if there ever was one. The big question about him is how – how does he turn in such great stories? – and once it is put, the film moves into higher gear and never looks back. Glass is such a wonderful, ambiguous figure that you won’t know what to expect. Should I mention that the movie is based on real-life events?  

If some characters in SHATTERED GLASS draw criticism for their conduct, the movie itself is above reproach. Billy Ray’s direction doesn’t let up, production values are satisfying, Hayden Christenson is a winner in his demanding role and the cast around him is a dandy (special kudos to Hank Azaria and to Peter Saarsgard, a favourite of mine). As for the script, which is based on Glass’s book, it shows freshness, intelligence and stamina. That’s all you need to know.

Gene Siskel once said that a good film begins slowly and ends with a bang. If that’s the kind of movie you’d like to see right now, SHATTERED GLASS should suit you fine.   

MBiS

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