Customer Reviews
Fascinating real life drama - By: Franklin T Marmoset, 04 Aug 2007 
This one is a fascinating story, & what makes it even better is that it's based on events that actually happened. It's about a twenty-five year old reporter named Stephen Glass, who wrote for The New Republic news magazine & had an uncanny knack for coming up with vivid, memorable stories. Unfortunately, it turned out Glass's pieces were either partly or wholly fictional, & he went to great lengths (including concocting fake notes, voicemail messages, & websites) to justify his phony articles. The film chronicles his spectacular fall from grace as, slowly but surely, his deceptions crumble aroud him.
There are two things to recommend this one, the first of which is that it's one of those stories that you wouldn't believe if it weren't true. The New Republican was referred to as `The inflight magazine of Airforce One' & was regarded with great reverence, so it's astonishing to discover that such a young man was able to pull the wool over so many people's eyes. One of the film's strengths is the way it sells Glass's ability to manipulate & deceive, while also highlighting a huge flawin the journalistic process.
The second is a somewhat revelatory performance from Hayden Christensen, who proves here he has talents far beyond what he was able to show as the man who would be Vader. His Glass is full of a boyish charm that sits alongside a furtive & deeply insecure quality, making him a character you kind of sympathise with while never truly liking, & Christensen resists the temptation to overplay his emotions as Glass's world falls apart. It's good work from an actor many people have written off, so I hope we see more from himin the future.
The supporting actors all turnin good performances, too, particularly Peter Sarsgaard, Chloe Sevigny, & Hank Azaria.
If Shattered Glass has one flaw, it's that it doesn't offer much insight into why Glass, clearly a talented writer, felt the need to fabricate his stories. There is a hint at a child-like need for approval, but otherwise he remains something of an enigma (the DVD includes an interview with the real Glass, but it doesn't shed any further light on his motives). Some small amount of perception into the root of Glass's pathology would have been the cherry on the top of this one, but even without it this engaging & fascinating drama is excellent work from first time writer/director Billy Ray.
Never suspend constructive disbelief - By: Joseph Haschka, 06 Jan 2006 SHATTERED GLASS re-creates several daysin May 1998 when the disconcertingly young writer phenom for the "New Republic", Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen), was revealed as a fraud when it was discovered by a rival publication that a recent piece Glass had written on a convention of computer hackers was completely bogus. (As the audience learns at the film's end, 27 of 41 of Stephen's articles for the NR, the "in-flight magazine on Air Force One", were wholly or partially "cooked".)
Rather than painting Glass as overtly malicious, this film is more sympathetic. It depicts Stephen as so craving the affection & respect of his colleagues at the NR that he'd go to any extreme to contribute a sensational story for the magazine. It left me wondering what Stephen's home life was like while growing up. However,in contrast to last year's hit CATCH ME IF YOU CAN wherein the featured scam artist was presented almost as a folk hero, at least the creators of SHATTERED GLASS had the honesty to portray its protagonist for the pathetic puppy he apparently was. Christensen was eminently believable as Glass - I despised the character from the very start.
The "hero" of this film, if there can be said to be one, is the NR's new managing editor, Chuck Lane (Peter Sarsgaard), who must determine the extent of Stephen's lying ways without alienating the rest of the young staff writers, who already consider him to be the toady of the Big Boss. Sarsgaard's Lane did a splendid job of causing me to suspend my cynicism for a brief moment & actually believe that the NR's collective mea culpa at the finale was actually brought on by a hiccup of journalistic integrity than the fact of getting caught. Funny, though, how the Big Boss wasn't shown as being moved one way or the other. Where was the righteous indignation from that corner?
For me, SHATTERED GLASS was more of an opportunity for incredulous fascination than entertainment. I suspect that a viewer's appreciation of the film would be enhanced by regular reading of the New Republic, something I've not done even once. (I'm therefore not burdened with the sobriquet "intellectual".)
And, as we learn before the final credits roll, the real-life Stephen Glass has since finished law school. Isn't that just too precious for words?
Excellent story-driven film - By: C. Reid, 06 Mar 2005 
I was motivated to write this review by the reviewer who gave the film one star; can't believe anyone could find this film boring. A very 'straight' treatment of the subject - no attempt to psychoanalyse Glass, for example - makes an very compelling & dramatic film. Shows what can be done with a low budget & the right script. Loved it.
You must absolutely see this fantastic film!!!!!!! - By: EH, 25 Nov 2004 Shattered Glass is a complex, moving & exciting film. The best thing about it is the haunting & Oscar-worthy performance by Hayden Christensen, of whom I was really & pleasantly surprised. If you appreciate witty scripts, succeding effortsin bringing a story to life & making the audience reflect & great performances you must see it. Anyone who doesn't appreciate it lacks sensitivity, sense of humour & most of all the brains to understand it.
STAY CLEAR OF THIS FILM!!!!!!!! - By: , 04 Nov 2004 
I have only given this film 1 * as it was essential to be able to write this review. I would prefer to give it half a * or none at all. This must be one of the worst films i have ever seen. The film drags on, for luckily only 90 minutes. The acting is poor from the main character (Stepehen Glass), & is quite hard to believe that his employers could not figure out that nearly every story he had written was fabricated. The fact checkers obviously could'nt do there job properly. Overall found the film very very dull, & would advise all readers to stay clear as it will definitely be a dissappointing watch. Guaranteed!!!
