Watch The Glass Castle
- PG-13
- 2017
- 2 hr 7 min
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7.1 (38,810)
The Glass Castle is a 2017 biographical drama film based on the memoir of the same name by Jeannette Walls. The movie features an ensemble cast of talented actors, including Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, and Naomi Watts, who deliver excellent performances to bring the intense story to life. The film follows the tumultuous childhood and adolescence of Jeannette Walls, who grew up with her siblings in poverty due to their parents' unconventional lifestyle choices. The family constantly moved around the country, never staying in one place for long, and often struggled to find enough food to eat or a place to live. Jeannette's father, Rex, is an alcoholic who is incapable of holding down a job or supporting his family financially. Her mother, Rose Mary, is an artist who chooses to spend her time painting rather than taking care of her children.
Despite the hardships they face, Jeannette and her siblings cling to their parents and their dream of finding a better life. Rex promises them that he will build them a "glass castle," a metaphor for a perfect life that he promises to deliver. However, as the children grow older, they begin to realize that their parents' promises of a better life are just empty words.
As the movie progresses, we see how Jeannette's parents' choices affect her and her siblings. Jeannette and her siblings are forced to fend for themselves, and often take on adult roles to care for their younger siblings. The family's financial struggles and Rex's alcoholism put them in danger, leading to several harrowing moments throughout the film.
Throughout the movie, we see Jeannette's relationship with her father evolve. While she believes that he is the root of all her family's problems, she eventually begins to understand him on a deeper level. Despite his flaws, she realizes that he loves his family and has been trying to protect them in his own way.
The Glass Castle is a poignant, emotionally charged film that explores themes of family, resilience, and the cost of unconventional lifestyles. The film's strong performances, particularly from Brie Larson and Woody Harrelson, carry the story forward, and the cinematography and score create a beautiful, immersive atmosphere that makes the viewer feel like they are a part of the family's story.
The movie is not without flaws, however. Some viewers may find the pacing to be slow, and the nonlinear storytelling may be confusing at times. Additionally, certain scenes could have used more fleshing out to make them more impactful.
Overall, The Glass Castle is a moving, emotionally charged film that explores complex themes and delivers strong performances from its cast. While it may not be perfect, it succeeds in bringing Jeannette Walls' memoir to life in a way that is both engaging and heart-wrenching.
The Glass Castle is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 7 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 56.