This is the true story of a college journalist who goes to work for a Washington magazine known for factual and political articles. While he works for the magazine he continues to turn in fiction which they keep publishing until it is finally realized what he is doing and then he is confronted. The fact that the movie is based on true facts and real people is the draw here and with story after story that he turns in you’re further and further lured into his world due to his likeability.
Hayden Christensen plays the lead role of Stephen Glass who turns in seemingly true but later proved false stories. He does a great job though he is a bit wooden which seems to be his style of acting. Peter Sarsgaad really stands out as one of the editors that discovers what has happened to the magazine. His acting stands out and he delivers a solid performance. Another stand out here is Hank Azaria who plays another editor in the film. Azaria does a brilliant job here playing straight which we rarely get to see from this Simpson’s television alum.
Shattered Glass is a surprising little film from new director Billy Ray who is better known for his sceenwriting that his direction. I’m sure when they signed on Christensen who was coming off playing Darth Vador in the Star Wars series, they were thinking big hit. The movie stayed small. Even though it might be a small film, it is really quite good and you should catch it if you have the chance. **/****.
The poster for the most part is what you would expect. It is a total face concentration on Christensen since he was the draw of the film. He’s a pretty boy so his close up is pleasing, but these headshots of the 2000 movies, this one is 2003, is getting old fast. I can only hope the next decade brings us some better design, especially on these smaller films where everything has to be double the effort.
Greg Treadway | Movies & Cinema | Thursday 22 January 2009 4:12 pm 