Envision yourself at the top of your profession; your talents are highly sought after, you are respected and liked (these things could be true of you and you won’t need to stretch your imagination). Now imagine jeopardizing everything by adding half-truths and complete fabrications to your work.

Shattered Glass relates fact based events that led to the downfall of Stephen Glass, a staff writer for The New Republic magazine and freelancer for publications such as Rolling Stone, Harper’s and George.

Glass is one of the most sought-after and respected journalists in Washington when his article, Hack Haven is published. Adam Penenberg (Steve Zahn) is an investigative reporter who often finds himself in the world of hackers. Wanting to know how a political magazine writer had scooped him, he begins his own investigation and discovers no trace of the companies, characters or agencies mentioned in Glass’ article.

Penenberg and the editor of Forbes.com present their findings to Charles “Chuck” Lane (Peter Sarsgaard), Glass’ boss at The New Republic, which in turn leads to an internal investigation. Faced with exposure, Stephen goes to great lengths to save himself.

First impressions of Stephen (brilliantly portrayed by Hayden Christensen) reveal a friendly, helpful and polite young man who remembers details about his co-workers such as birthdays and how they take their coffee. He meekly asks, “Are you mad at me?” when confronted or in uncomfortable situations and somehow manages to weasel out of trouble. As we learn more about him, his subtle manipulations become evident.

The slow decline of Glass is painful to watch and Christensen makes it believable; Penenberg’s tenacious pursuit of the truth is exhilarating and Zahn (in a non-humorous role) plays it to perfection. Peter Sarsgaard’s portrayal of Chuck Lane is superb, he manages to convey the turmoil and ultimately the decisiveness Lane must have felt when faced with the betrayal of an employee.

Wonderful performances by Melanie Lynskey and Chloë Sevigny as Stephen’s co-workers and Hank Azaria as a former editor of The New Republic add credibility to the story and film.

Shattered Glass gives the viewer a glimpse into the psyche of a compulsive liar and the effect his actions had on his career and those around him. It is only a glimpse though, we don’t really know what motivates him; there are hints but nothing concrete. The story is very moving and Stephen is likable while at the same time creepy; you feel sorry for him and want to strangle him simultaneously.

I highly recommend drama fans watch this one; for true story enthusiasts it is a must see. If you are someone that likes to know why things happen, you’ll be disappointed. I was engrossed from beginning to end.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD