Shattered Glass

After the Jayson Blair scandal at The New York Times, there probably couldn't be a more timely film than "Shattered Glass." The story of journalist Stephen Glass (Hayden Christensen), a writer for the liberal publication The New Republic, who cooked up over 90 percent of the stories he published, happened not long before Blair started his own brand of faux journalism.

"Shattered Glass" is a smart, methodically laid out story of how a young and eager journalist on the rise charmed his way into the editorial bosom of a prestigious magazine. Christensen gives a perfectly subtle performance playing a quietly obsequious guy who finally hits a wall. Peter Sarsgaard, as the editor who provides that wall, gives an equally sharp performance. As an investigative drama, "Shattered Glass" doesn't break any new ground, but it smashes a lot of illusions. Starring Hayden Christensen, Peter Sarsgaard, Hank Azaria and Chloe Sevigny. Directed and written by Billy Ray. Produced by Craig Baumgarten, Adam J. Merims, Tove Christensen and Gaye Hirsh. A Lions Gate release. Drama. Rated PG-13 for language, sexual references and brief drug use. Running time: 99 min