The
Shattered Glass (2003)
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Cast: Hayden Christensen (Stephen Glass), Peter
Sarsgaard (Charles ‘Chuck’ Lane), Chloe Sevigny (Caitlin Avey), Rosario Dawson
(Andy Fox), Melanie Lynskey (Amy Brand), Hank Azania (Michael Kelly), Steve
Zahn (Adam Penenberg), Mark Blum (Lewis Estridge), Simone- Elise Girard (Catarina
Bannier), Chad Donella (David Bach), Jamie Elman (Aaron Bluth), Luke Kirby (Rob
Gruen), Cas Anvar (Kambiz Foroohar), Gloria (as Linda E.Smith), Ted Kotchef (Marty
Peretz), Ian Restil(as Owen Rotharmel),Bill Rowat (George Sims) etc.
Director: Billy Ray
Review:
“You have to know who you’re writing for. And
you have to know what you’re good at.” Stephen Glass said. The 24 years old
whizkid working for the New Republic newspaper brings us to the edge of our
seats. The constant wondering of what is next, the lies and when he’ll be
down-on-his-luck.
One of the stories Stephen made up was that of
a young hacker who managed to hack big corporations and then wanted his needs
to be cartered for. “Show me the money, show me the money” was what the young
hacker said after he signed a contract with the computer company right at that
spot, and went to celebrate at the hotel. Stephen also talks about how they
paid the young hacker a million dollars so as to stop him from breaking the
system.
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Charles “Chuck” Lane expressed his frustrations
and anger after finding out that the hotel where celebrations by the young
hacker and other youngsters does not know about the convention mentioned and
the room where Stephen claims it had taken place in, is not big enough to
accommodate 200 people as Stephen says it did. The young hacker who supposedly
earned that huge amount of money was nowhere to be found as well as every
source involved in that story either had their phone off or was nowhere to be
found. Chucks tried to put the puzzles together but more details seemed to be
missing and some raised suspicions on the accuracy of the story.
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Crises arises when Adam Penenberg (Steve Zahn)
starts digging around to find out about the story of a rich hacker but failed
to find him, his agent, website or any information about him. Steven Glass
feels threatened but continues to tell lies on top of another to cover up his
non-existing story on the rich hacker.
Video saved from youtube.com
This film has served as a great entertainment and has without fail, shown us what is happening in the media. Stephen Glass and Charles ‘Chuck’ Lane were both excellent actors and most definitely showed to be more comfortable and passionate towards Billy Ray’s directing style and the film’s dramatic tone.
At 1h39m, this film is fairly long. There were
a few times when the movie felt confusing but the ability of the director to
keep the audience curious and the impressive dialogue really held the
audience’s attention. However, the timeline was a bit unclear at times. For a
number of scenes it was hard to tell what was really going on.
The movie has done so well in showing the
crises in journalism brought by fake content and fake-wanna be- hero
journalists. It has also emphasized the fact that media companies should look
deep into the information that is being given to its audience as it might cost
them their reputation.
Soundtracks:
New Sensation
Written by
Andrew Farriss and Michael Hutchence
Performed by INXS
Published by WB Corp. (ASCAP) obo Chardonnay
Investments and XL Publishing Pty, Ltd. (APRA)
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Group
By Arrangements with Warner Strategic Marketing
Genres:
Drama/ History
Conclusion:
Despite the film’s minor shortcomings, The Shattered
Glass (2003) arouses curiousity, is exciting and is definitely worth your time.
Reference:
Words: 607
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