The Glass Castle

Parental Rating: PG-13

Contains: Language    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens August 11, 2017

Runs 127 minutes

Based on Jeanette Wall's best-selling novel, this is Jeanette's (Brie Larson) story of growing up with an alcoholic father Rex (Woody Harrelson) and a disinterested mother Rose Mary (Naomi Watts), who didn't believe in settling down. In fact, freedom was more important to them than food or lodging. They moved from place to place, often running from bill collectors or living out in the wild. Rex kept Jeanette and her two sisters and brother happy with stories of building them a glass castle once they found the perfect spot. Eventually, the kids realized that they had to take matters into their own hands, lean on each other and do everyting they could to move up and move out because dad was never going to build that glass castle.

This is a very good movie. It is remarkable that Jeanette and her siblings were able to pull themselves out of abject poverty and actually go on to live productive lives. It is heartbreaking to see how these kids were raised and all of the disappointments that they faced. But, the film is also hopeful. The kids can still look back at their lives and feel sentimental and nostalgic for the way they were raised. It is hard to understand how they are not more bitter but they turned out all right. The acting is top notch. Woody does a great job. The film is emotional, heart-wrenching and uplifting, all at once. Definitely worth seeing so go see it.

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