Shatered Glass tells the true story of journalist Stephen Glass who wrote for "The New Republic" magaizne. That is untill it was revealed that half of his stories were complete fabrications. It follows his eventual downfall.
Released in 2003, i've been wanting to see this for ages. The main attraction was that of the actors involved, mainly Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria & Steve Zahn. all of which were brilliant, but a suprise came in Hayden "Darth Vader" Christensen. I was expecting much at all from him, but hell, he steps up the game and is on top form. Playing this shy, desperate journalist who seems out of his depth. The way he played it slowly with at times minor mannerisms becomming more overwhelmed and in over his head with his lies was very interesting to watch unfold. It's hard to actually beleive that he thought he'd ever get away with the extent of the lies he was telling. Another and possibly finest achievement of Shattered Glass is related to character of Chuck Lane (Peter Sarsgaard). The movie starts of portraying him as a jerk, without any real evidence, just through the reactions of other cast towwards his character. Chuck takes over as head editor from Hank azarias character. However by mid way your view has been seamlessly changed to feeling nothing but sorry for Chuck and what he has to put up with in terms of his new job and Stephen Glass.
On negative side it may feel like it drags, as the subject matter is not all that interesting, people at a magazine headquarters. However please do not let that put you off, it is very interesting and the almost thriller style it is done is fantastic. The feeling of unease you get when Glass begins to get more and more diluted by his lies and the situation, the more involving the film is. In terms of cinetograhpy and presentation, it does at times feel like a TV movie but the performances and narrative justify it's place on the big screen.
All in all, this is less a story about some guy at a magazine more of a great charatcer study, not only for glass but Chuck too. See it.
No comments:
Post a Comment