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Shattered GlassRating:
Release Date: 23 March, 2004 Retail Price: $14.98 OUR Price: $10.99 You SAVE: $3.99! Cast: Complete Cast (10 total) |
Shattered Glass Reviews
Outstanding! Fabulous cast, fabulous performances.
The Amazon acknowledgement of "All the President's Men" for comparisons sake is just. Both movies are great storytelling of what goes on behind the scenes of journalism, it's responsiblity and misuse. I'd' throw in movies like "Call Northside 777, " Citizen Kane," and even "His Girl Friday," to some extent, as movies that paint credible pictures of journalism, albeit each in its own way- all my fave flicks about the daily rags. But "Shattered Glass" (a movie I watched after stumbling across it while scanning the many offerings on the Dish one day and thought, what the heck) goes even deeper into the responsibilities of journalism, and how easily those responsibilities can be abused. The ensemble cast is first rate. Peter Sarsgaard steals the show, Hayden Christiansen paints a picture of duplicity that's exclusive not only to journalism, but is the face of deception that many of us cross in our daily lives. And Hank Azaria, Mike Blum (Depserately Seeking Susan; Crocodile Dundee), Steve Zahn (You've Got Mail), and Chloe Sevigny all combine for an award worthy ensemble cast. "Glass" paints a solid behind the scenes picture of a newspaper or magazine, doing it with a diverse collection of personalities, lending credence and viability to the atmosphere that such a web of lies and deceit can take place in. But this is much more than a movie about journalism. Though the film is explicitly about Glass, his transgressions and betrayal to his profession and those he works for and with. It's about the Stephen Glasses we all know in any field of life- the extent some folks will go in their deception to portray themselves as something they are not. One can't watch Christiansen's performance and not think of someone we've crossed in our lives and seen the same behavior and tactics, the web of lies behind the facade of credibility and extent one is willing to go to continue the charade: the incredible stories backed by increasingly incredible stories, the mannerisms, the erratic behavior, the inability to look one in the eye without great effort when confronted. This movie is just as much about those who've mastered the art of deception and the lengths they'll go perpetuate it- the pathological liar. And Sarsgaard portrays the person inside all of us that wants so badly to get to the truth that, when not able to get it with generosity, the lengths we'll go to to maintain credibility, if not integrity. We've all seen the stories in the past decade or two where journalists (or persons) so desperate to be in the spotlight, to get the big story, that they conjur up stories so good to be true, that more than likely, they aren't. SIDENOTE: This was my first sampling of Sarsgaard and Sevigny, both of whom I'm a huge fan of now, confessing to an obssession with the talented and alluring Sevigny. I was attracted to her by her acting as much as her sex appeal in a relatively conservative role, to the point of which I've bought, rented and borrowed as many of her movies as possible (though not for the reasons many juveniles are obssessed with "The Brown Bunny"). A talented actress who takes on roles for their quality, not the money, and is regarded as the queen of the independent movies. She makes some unusual choices, but this is the role that sold me.
Just great!
Hayden Christensen plays Glass as a smarmy, self-deprecating pathological liar who ruins his own career and hurts the reputation of an important magazine with his constant lying. Peter Sarsgaard is his editor, Chuck Lane, who slowly unravels Glass's web of lies and must decide whether to fire him or just suspend him, as he is being pressured to do by the rest of the magazine staff. Wow, is Sarsgaard ever handsome!- he looks just like an angel from Heaven. And he is such a versatile actor; he plays all kinds of roles convincingly, unlike some actors who play the same character in every film they do. His final confrontation with Glass in the magazine offices is absolutely riveting. The entire cast works really well together depicting the dynamics of the different personalities in the world of journalism. The script is tightly woven and holds your attention all the way through. An important reminder to be skeptical of what you read in newspapers and magazines and a must-see film for everyone.
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