Review of Shattered Glass (2003) by Mandy D — 27 Dec 2009

If for no other reason this film should be watched to verify that Hayden Christensen has some true talent as an actor. Yes, he was awful in the Star Wars prequels. But in this film, which details the fall of New Republic writer Stephen Glass after it is revealed he was guilty of plagiarism, Christensen is on the dot with his portrayal of Glass.

He is never made into a sympathetic character, or more sly or cool then he truly was. He is portrayed as a nervous and shady figure who hides his guilty tics with an overly self-loathing attitude for himself and lushing over his coworkers that most don't suspect him of dishonesty.

What makes his fall so much stronger is Peter Sarsgaard as the editor who exposes him, Chuck Lane. Lane is never shown as over-the-top or overly animated; he is an honest journalist who fights to protect his reporter while still searching for the truth, and even after Glass is exposed as having violated his magazine, he remains steadfast and professional.

The two actors together bring this biopic to quality status. Having never met neither Glass or Lane I can't say whether the performances were accurate, but the actors certainly made them feel very real.