THIS is an incredible and gripping real life story of a journalist corrupted by ambition and an unquenchable thirst for attention.

At a time when the media is increasingly under the spotlight, Billy Ray's mesmerising directorial debut reminds us of the trust we place in journalists to uphold the truth.

During the 90s, Stephen Glass rose to fame on the current events and policy magazine The New Republic, leading to numerous commissions for George, Harper's and Rolling Stone.

He was renowned for unearthing original, quirky and sometimes sensational stories; his then editor, Michael Kelly, and the other staff adored him.

The sacking of Kelly and hasty promotion of new editor Charles Lane signalled the end of Glass's ascendancy.

He was exposed as a fraud: no fewer than 27 of his 41 features for the magazine, some of them cover stories, were found to be the products of his feverish imagination.

Shattered Glass recounts the spectacular rise and fall of Glass (Christensen), his exposure by tenacious internet journalist Adam Penenberg (Zahn), and the bitter war of words with editor Lane (Sarsgaard).

Christensen is utterly riveting as the talented yet deeply flawed anti-hero, who fabricated entire articles to raise his profile, oblivious to the consequences of his immoral actions.

The handsome actor brings considerable charisma and charm to the role - vital tools for Glass to accomplish his deception - but he also instils the journalist with a painful naivete and fragility.

In stark contrast, Sarsgaard brings a quiet, stoic intensity to the editor who struggles to keep his magazine afloat against an ever-increasing tidal wave of accusations and allegations.

Sevigny, Lynskey et al offer strong support as The New Republic staffers torn between friendship and harsh reality.

Writer-director Ray wrings every last drop of suspense out of this extraordinary real life scandal.

When Lane discovers the full extent of his writer's deception and has to try to dig himself and the magazine out of the mire, you'll probably find yourself holding your breath for the excruciating tension.

Truth is often stranger than fiction - in Shattered Glass, we see that very occasionally, they are one and the same.

DAMON SMITH