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Shattered Glass, Clear Reflections
Hayden Christensen's fine performance almost overshadows the real life dramas told and foretold in this independent drama.

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Peter Sarsgaard, Chlo' Sevigny, Steve Zahn, Hank Azaria, Rosario Dawson
Director: Billy Ray

Reviewed by Kevin Cunningham

THE PITCH: Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen) is the hottest young reporter in the snobbiest of old newspapers, until his reporting and integrity is called into question. IN OTHER WORDS: The Paper meets The Usual Suspects.

There are just some things in pop culture that have one of those stigmas on them. You know the kind: it doesn't matter what they do, the public perception is that they're going to stink. Britney Spears (or any other blonde teenager in music, male or female). Carrot Top (or any other white stand up comedian with an afro; see Pauly Shore). Former Vice Presidents. Well, one of those things is Pro Wrestling, and anyone involved in it.

The post-script of Shattered Glass says it all. Stephen Glass, a disgraced reporter caught writing fiction for big name journalistic magazines, recently finished his first piece of 'fiction,' about a young journalist who made up stories. This goes beyond the 'Art Imitates Life' cliché, this film should be viewed as a further warning for where the world is going.

This isn't the days of Woodward and Bernstein anymore.

Hayden Christensen's performance as the beguiling Glass makes this independent film about the real life incidents at The New Republic truly succeed. Christensen, who has been generally unimpressive as the future Darth Vader in the second of the Star Wars prequels, nails the ever-fictitious behavior of Glass, making the audience even believe, at times, that he is repentant for the things he's done. Just as impressive is Peter Sarsgaard, the new editor placed in the difficult position of punishing the young reporter, and figuring out just how deep the lies went. Throw in some nice supporting performances from Hank Azaria, Steve Zahn and Rosario Dawson, and you've got an excellent ensemble.

This film's strength, however, lies in it's timely story. Stephen Glass' story may be a few years old, from days when the internet journalists who busted him were not considered credible, when there were enough internet start-up companies to hide a fake one in the mess, but anyone who watches this film should also spend some time reading the news. It was only last year that New York Times journalist Jayson Blair was caught fabricating stories, and just a few months ago, USA Today reporter Pulitizer Prize finalist Jack Kelley admitted to fabricating some of his own material.

It also hints at how dangerous and important journalism can be, despite the way certain media groups have treated it as little more than another source of entertainment than a place for people to learn about the world around them. Michael Kelly, the respected editor played by Azaria, was killed in Iraq in 2003 while covering the war there.

There's some questioning to be done about just what is taken for truth in today's culture, and what isn't. The respectability of the media and it's sources have been placed into such question that people justify believing what they want, either by pointing out what the media says, or ignoring what the media reports by saying they're biased, or making things up entirely. It wasn't that long ago that the media was considered by many to be crusaders of truth against a world that seemed filled with lies. Now, it just seems that they're just another cog in the machine of lies.

It may not be Stephen Glass' fault. But his story should certainly be a warning what's out there now.

Rating	Film:(3 out of 4 stars)
	DVD: (1out of 4 stars)
	Overall: (3out of 4 stars)

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