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Shattered Glass

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Peter Sarsgaard
Director: Billy Ray
Genre: Drama
Year: 2003
Rating: 4 / 5

Shattered Glass, the story of the rise and fall of New Republic writer Stephen Glass, would not be nearly as compelling if it were not so shockingly real. In a country where people are still chatting about Jayson Blair’s repeated lies, Shattered Glass takes us into a world where fiction can all too easily become fact. First-time director Bill Ray guides a top-notch cast in this cautionary tale of one man’s web of lies, and what it takes to maintain the intricacy of that web. Hayden Christensen, not wielding a light saber for a change, stars as the enigmatic Glass, giving us glimpses of a man well-liked by his peers but one whose reputation and very sense of self were built on falsehood and deception. His character nearly brought down the New Republic, and Shattered Glass helps us to understand how he came so close.

In 1998, Stephen Glass (Christensen) was only twenty-four years old, yet he was the star performer at the New Republic. Backed by his loyal boss Michael Kelly (Hank Azaria), Glass was able to churn out numerous top flight pieces. From tales of the seedy nightlife of convention attendees to a success story in the upstart hacker community, Glass had a gift with words. His attention to detail and his sharp wit granted his pieces a truly memorable place in the minds of his readers. In addition, Glass displayed a disarming charm that belied the depth of his deceit. He exhibited no outward ego, always being willing to help his colleagues and offer words of encouragement. In the fast-paced, no-holds-barred world in which he lived, he was the epitome of success.

Stephen Glass saw his career start to crumble with the release of “Hack Heaven,” a piece about a young hacker who brought corporate America to its knees. Adam Penenberg (Steve Zahn), a writer for the online magazine Forbes Digital Tool, started finding gross inaccuracies in the piece. As his investigation deepened, promoted New Republic editor Chuck Lane (Peter Sarsgaard) confronted Glass with the accusations. With each successive question, Glass started veering farther and farther from the truth. Phony sources begat fake telephone numbers which led to fabricated web sites and business cards. As Penenberg came to realize that Glass had not simply fudged details but had concocted the entire piece, the walls finally came crashing down on the New Republic’s prized writer.

Shattered Glass is gripping and intelligent, a refreshing piece of filmmaking that stands out for its striking realism. The most impressive facet of the film, however, might be its ability to make the audience feel for Glass during his rise to the top. Even as we know where his troubled story will lead, his need to be liked and his humble humor pull viewers to him. As we see the lies spin out of control, we slowly begin to wonder just how far Glass will go to continue the charade. Finally, as it begins to appear as though his lies have run their course, the story has us wishing for nothing short of swift punishment for Glass. We are pulled into the tale from the outset, and we are not let go until the title character’s life is nothing but Shattered Glass.

Cast:

Certification: Rated PG-13 for language.
Running Time: 95 minutes.

Additional Info: Internet Movie Database
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