Movie Review: Shattered Glass
Shattered Glass (2003)
Directed by Billy Ray
Starring Hayden Christensen, Peter Saarsgard, Chloe Sevigny
The Plot
Shattered Glass is the true story of Stephen Glass (Christensen), a reporter for The New Republic, who was known for the exciting stories of his articles. When the facts of one of his articles are questioned, he quickly finds his web of lies unraveling around him.
What's Good?
This movie is truly one of the best movies I've seen in a while. Christensen is excellent as the Glass, evolving from an earnest and endearing writer at the beginning of the film to a man who has seen his world get shattered by the end. Sarsgaard is also excellent as Charles Lane, the New Republic editor who discovers Glass's lies.
The film moves at a quick enough pace to keep it interesting, and you find yourself drawn to the characters more and more as it progresses. It does a terrific job of opening with Glass as the hero and evolving to show Lane as the true hero of the story, despite a somewhat inauspicious introduction. It's deeply interesting throughout, and keeps you watching till the end. Who could want more?
--Keep an eye out for excellent performances by Hank Azaria, Steve Zahn, and Rosario Dawson
What's Bad?
Not much, really. I think there were a few details of the story that could have been explored better, but considering the film's length (just over an hour and a half), exploring those details would have left the film feeling crowded.
What About the DVD?
The DVD's not as extras-packed as most, but it makes the most of the features it does have. Of special interest is the 60 Minutes piece done on the real Stephen Glass that makes an excellent bookend to the film. The sad irony of it, however, is that after watching a film about how easy it is to manipulate the information put out in the media, you have to wonder how much of the 60 Minutes piece is fictionalized.
The Bottom Line
A great movie. This is definitely one to see.
My rating: 5 out of 5.
Directed by Billy Ray
Starring Hayden Christensen, Peter Saarsgard, Chloe Sevigny
The Plot
Shattered Glass is the true story of Stephen Glass (Christensen), a reporter for The New Republic, who was known for the exciting stories of his articles. When the facts of one of his articles are questioned, he quickly finds his web of lies unraveling around him.
What's Good?
This movie is truly one of the best movies I've seen in a while. Christensen is excellent as the Glass, evolving from an earnest and endearing writer at the beginning of the film to a man who has seen his world get shattered by the end. Sarsgaard is also excellent as Charles Lane, the New Republic editor who discovers Glass's lies.
The film moves at a quick enough pace to keep it interesting, and you find yourself drawn to the characters more and more as it progresses. It does a terrific job of opening with Glass as the hero and evolving to show Lane as the true hero of the story, despite a somewhat inauspicious introduction. It's deeply interesting throughout, and keeps you watching till the end. Who could want more?
--Keep an eye out for excellent performances by Hank Azaria, Steve Zahn, and Rosario Dawson
What's Bad?
Not much, really. I think there were a few details of the story that could have been explored better, but considering the film's length (just over an hour and a half), exploring those details would have left the film feeling crowded.
What About the DVD?
The DVD's not as extras-packed as most, but it makes the most of the features it does have. Of special interest is the 60 Minutes piece done on the real Stephen Glass that makes an excellent bookend to the film. The sad irony of it, however, is that after watching a film about how easy it is to manipulate the information put out in the media, you have to wonder how much of the 60 Minutes piece is fictionalized.
The Bottom Line
A great movie. This is definitely one to see.
My rating: 5 out of 5.
