Hollywood has produced a plethora of films based on presidents, heads of states, actors, sports figures, singers and many others that have gained notoriety and fame. These are typically made in order to keep the audience's attention, but how often have we seen a film based on an average, dysfunctional family without any notoriety or fame and still keep us riveted? Not often, however with "The Glass Castle", this is what we got.
A young girl comes of age in a dysfunctional family of nonconformist nomads with a mother who's an eccentric artist and an alcoholic father who would stir the children's imagination with hope as a distraction to their poverty.
This young woman, Jeannette Walls (Brie Larson) reflects as a series of flashbacks on her unconventional upbringing at the hands of her artsy parents, Rex Walls (Woody Harrelson) and Rose Mary (Naomi Watts), which sometimes resulted in the family living in poverty. Now engaged to a man who works in finance, David (Max Greenfield) in New York, she faces criticism from her parents that she betrayed their values. Clinging onto her siblings including Brian (Josh Caras), Lori (Sarah Snook) and Maureen (Bridgette Lundy-Paine) to help keep her sane, she must realize that she is her own person and her parents have to come to this realization in order to help themselves in their own lives.
Others to round out the cast are Robin Bartlett as Erma, Joe Pingue as Uncle Stanley, Ella Anderson as Young Jeannette, Chandler Head as Youngest Jeannette, Charlie Shotwell as Young Brian, Iain Armitage as Youngest Brian, Sadie Sink as Young Lori, Olivia Kate Rice as Youngest Lori, Shree Crooks as Young Maureen and Eden Grace Redfield as Youngest Maureen.
This was well directed by Destin Daniel Cretton ("Drakmar: A Vassal's Journey" (Documentary) as co-dir. '06, "I Am Not a Hipster" '12, "Short Term 12" '13) plus shorts and TV. And even though his resume isn't well known in the commercial realm, it's eclectic and original. The fact that this guy has a number of shorts to his credits has allowed him to season his talents better. It was delineated well by writers Cretton ("I Am Not a Hipster" '12, "Short Term 12" '13, "The Shack" '17) and Andrew Lanham ("The Shack" '17) based on the memoir of the same name by Jeannette Walls. With all the back and forth of Jeannette being in the present and going into flashbacks, one would become confused, however this script was cohesive, eloquent and poignant sometimes within the same scene. The writers' most recent screenplay of "The Shack" was well thought out and explained an otherwise confusing and controversial premise with finesse and compassion, so it should be no surprise that this screenplay would be repeated with such clarity and eloquence. Again, in a season that offers us a barrage of big-budget, high-adrenaline, special effects laden films, it's really pleasant to see these small independent films to remind us that the only films out there are not just reboots, franchises or sequels.
If you can appreciate fine acting, especially by Harrelson, taught writing and eclectic directing, "The Glass Castle" will please well. This was obviously produced for a limited audience, however most everyone can certainly gain a life lesson from one part or another part of this film. All's it takes is an open mind and heart to see our own struggles through the struggles of these eclectic characters.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 126mins.
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