The Glass Castle

"Very Good"

The Glass Castle Review


There are quite a few terrific moments in this true story, based on the memoir by journalist Jeannette Walls. It's an account of a seriously mind-boggling childhood that sees years of mayhem through a remarkably clear perspective, only occasionally dipping into sentimentality. But the actors are terrific, bringing an earthy realism to their roles, including a stand-out turn from Woody Harrelson.

It opens in 1989 New York, as Jeannette (Brie Larson) lies to her prospective in-laws about her parents, with her nice-guy fiance (Max Greenfield) helping her create a story that obscures the truth: Rex and Rose Mary Walls (Harrelson and Naomi Watts) are essentially homeless, living a life deliberately off the grid in defiance of meddling governments and too-powerful businesses. Indeed, Jeannette was raised in a free-form way, and her siblings (Sarah Snook, Josh Caras and Brigette Lundy-Paine) understand why she tries to hide them from her high-flying Manhattan life. But they are determined to be involved with her, and after another of Rex's impulsively violent outbursts, Jeannette thinks it might be time to get away from them for good.

This story is interspersed with extensive flashbacks of Jeannette's childhood (in which she's played by Chandler Head and the excellent Ella Anderson), exploring Rex's lifelong desire to build his dream "glass castle" for the family to live in. But this strikingly intelligent man is undone by his hot temper and antagonistic approach to society, creating problems with his wife and children. Harrelson and Watts are terrific in their colourful roles as these brightly artistic people trying to make sure their kids are smart and free. By comparison, Larson can't help but seem a bit bland, especially in her puffy 80s suits and hairdos. So some of her emotional reactions to the people around her feel strangely abrupt.

Director-cowriter Destin Daniel Cretton (who also worked with Larson on Short Term 12) tells the story with plenty of energy, coaxing bold performances from the cast and finding constant moments of both giddy happiness and dark pain. Sometimes all of these big emotions become rather too obvious; the strongest scenes are the more delicate, relaxed ones that explore the fragile bonds between these damaged people. These moments also say a lot more about the themes than the louder, preachier ones. Because this is a meaningful exploration of the push and pull that exists in any family, and how every decision we make has an impact on the people we love.



Facts and Figures

Genre: Dramas

Box Office Worldwide: $9.7M

Production compaines: Lionsgate, Netter Productions

Reviews

Contactmusic.com: 3.5 / 5

Cast & Crew

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton

Producer: Ken Kao,

Starring: as Jeannette Walls, as Rex Walls, as Rose Mary Walls, as David, as Lori Walls, Ella Anderson as Jeannette Walls (Age 10), Chandler Head as Jeannette Walls (Age 5 and 6), Olivia Kate Rice as Lori Walls (Age 7), Sadie Sink as Lori Walls (Age 12), Josh Caras as Brian Walls, Iain Armitage as Brian Walls (Age 5), Charlie Stowell as Young Brian Walls, Brigette Lundy-Paine as Maureen Walls, Charlie Guyon as Baby Maureen Walls, Noemie Guyon as Baby Maureen Walls, Eden Grace Redfield as Maureen Walls (Age 3 ), Shree Crooks as Maureen Walls (Age 7), Dominic Bogart as Robbie, as Stanley, Charlie Shotwell as Brian Walls (Age 7), Alanna Bale as Student, Andrew Shaver as Dr. Taylor, Nathaly Thibault as Business Woman, Kyra Harper as Miss Bivens, Hamza Haq as Intern, Kenny Wong as Restaurant Manager, Chris Gillett as Mr. Thompson, Darrin Baker as Pool Manager, Tyrone Benskin as Ronnie, Sabrina Campilii as Steph, Philippe Hartmann as NYC Deli Patron, Samantha Hodhod as Assistant, Tessa Mossey as Tiffany, Sarah Camacho as Student

Also starring:

Contactmusic

New Movies

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Review

After the thunderous reception for J.J. Abrams' Episode VII: The Force Awakens two years ago,...

Daddy's Home 2 Movie Review

Daddy's Home 2 Movie Review

Like the 2015 original, this comedy plays merrily with cliches to tell a silly story...

The Man Who Invented Christmas Movie Review

The Man Who Invented Christmas Movie Review

There's a somewhat contrived jauntiness to this blending of fact and fiction that may leave...

Ferdinand Movie Review

Ferdinand Movie Review

This animated comedy adventure is based on the beloved children's book, which was published in...

Brigsby Bear Movie Review

Brigsby Bear Movie Review

Director Dave McCary makes a superb feature debut with this offbeat black comedy, which explores...

Battle of the Sexes Movie Review

Battle of the Sexes Movie Review

A dramatisation of the real-life clash between tennis icons Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs,...

Shot Caller Movie Review

Shot Caller Movie Review

There isn't much subtlety to this prison thriller, but it's edgy enough to hold the...

Advertisement
The Disaster Artist Movie Review

The Disaster Artist Movie Review

A hilariously outrageous story based on real events, this film recounts the making of the...

Stronger Movie Review

Stronger Movie Review

Based on a true story about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, this looks like one...

Only the Brave Movie Review

Only the Brave Movie Review

Based on a genuinely moving true story, this film undercuts the realism by pushing its...

Wonder Movie Review

Wonder Movie Review

This film may be based on RJ Palacio's fictional bestseller, but it approaches its story...

Happy End  Movie Review

Happy End Movie Review

Austrian auteur Michael Haneke isn't known for his light touch, but rather for hard-hitting, award-winning...

Patti Cake$ Movie Review

Patti Cake$ Movie Review

Seemingly from out of nowhere, this film generates perhaps the biggest smile of any movie...

The Limehouse Golem Movie Review

The Limehouse Golem Movie Review

A Victorian thriller with rather heavy echoes of Jack the Ripper, this film struggles to...

Advertisement
Artists
Actors
    Filmmakers
      Artists
      Bands
        Musicians
          Artists
          Celebrities
             
              Artists
              Interviews