The phrase `based on a true story' rings hollow in this gripping study of Stephen Glass, the hotshot journo whose career imploded when it emerged that half the pieces he wrote for the prestigious New Republic magazine were riddled with porkies. It's boosted by terrific performances from Hayden Christensen as the fraudulent hack, who carries off a credible portrayal, and Peter Sarsgaard as his editor Chuck Lane. A real-life tale of lies and deceit that still champions journalistic ethics and those few people who still think such quaint notions are something worth fighting for.
DVD Extras:
Lane reunites with director Billy Ray for an insightful gab-track, the former gently castigating himself for not rumbling Stephen sooner. But the real bonus is Glass telling 60 Minutes what drove him to cook up so many whoppers. Whether you think his remorse is genuine or agree with the ex-colleague who calls it "contrition as a career move", it's a fascinating postscript to the whole affair.
