This gives the film suspense, as editors get on the trail of his fictions and Glass tries to cover his tracks and survive. His story predated the scandal of Jayson Blair, who admitted to similar transgressions at The New York Times. "Shattered Glass" is based on a 1998 article in "Vanity Fair" by Buzz Bissinger.

Questions are raised about the level of journalistic ethics today and the pressure to come up with attention-grabbing reporting, whether as depicted in "Shattered Glass" or in the flap between the BBC in England and the Tony Blair government. The implications are far-reaching. How could the New Republic, claiming to fact check, be so hoodwinked by Glass? Is it that the quest for hot articles is so intense that an imposter can find the atmosphere conducive?

What about the broader context? Are lying and exaggeration by government and our celebrity culture indicative of a society in which journalists feel free to make up stories or embellish? The film indicates the hunger for stardom as a motivating force that supercedes the responsibility to be accurate as an ethical journalist.

Hayden Christensen effectively plays Glass as one who ingratiates himself with co-workers, elicits sympathy and uses his wiles as he tries to cover his tracks when the investigation closes in and tries to emotionally blackmail his colleagues and editor. Christensen is able to elicit a measure of sympathy for Glass as a person who seems deeply disturbed even while provoking revulsion for what he is doing. Peter Sarsgaard does a strong acting job as Chuck Lane, who unflinchingly exposes Glass, and Chloë Sevigny gives substance to the character of Caitlin Avey, an editor and colleague of Glass. Caitlin is at first taken in but gradually realizes the fraud Glass has committed and the harm he has done.