Written and Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
Co-written by Andrew Lanham
Starring Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts
‘Deeply Moving’
When it comes to the most inspiring individuals in the world, Jeannette Walls is one of them. Although she is one of the most famous authors in the world today, Walls grew up in poverty-stricken conditions. Raised in a dysfunctional family, she went through a troubled childhood. She was neglected, abused and often mistreated by her parents. Yet, she never gave up hope and managed to overcome the obstacles in her life. Walls’ childhood experiences inspired her to write her first memoir in 2005.
“The Glass Castle” is a deeply moving film that brings Walls’ extraordinary story to the big-screen. It is a beautifully acted but flawed adaptation of the famous memoir. Although it is not easy to adapt a beloved book into a film, director Destin Daniel Cretton has done a remarkable job. With the help of a talented cast and sharp script, Cretton has made a brilliant adaptation of the book. Due to an overlong running time, “The Glass Castle” is not flawless by any measure. Yet, as a whole, the film packs an emotional punch. Even if you haven’t read the book, it is hard to not be moved by this heartbreaking father-daughter story.
Based on the best-selling memoir, “The Glass Castle” focuses on the life and upbringing of Jeannette Walls. Jeannette is brought up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic father and an eccentric mother. As Jeannette reflects on her childhood as an adult, she is overcome with a sudden desire to reconnect with her estranged parents.
It is not easy to adapt a beloved novel to the big-screen. It requires a filmmaker to pay attention to details, characters and storytelling. Then, there is the added pressure of pleasing fans of the book that have waited for it. It is a tricky tightrope to balance, but director Destin Daniel Cretton handles it well. Using a fine screenplay and a fantastic cast of actors, Cretton manages to capture the details of Jeannette Walls’ memoir. From the larger-than-life characters to the rich dialogue, the elements of the novel are captured beautifully in the film. Although I can’t speak to how faithful the film is towards the memoir, “The Glass Castle” works mainly due to a detailed script and great acting.
One of the most important components needed for a film adaptation to work is the screenplay. The script is vital because it introduces characters, lays out the story and details of the novel. This is where “The Glass Castle” succeeds. The script, which is based on Jeannette Walls’ memoir, is extremely detailed. It features fascinating characters, witty dialogue and flashbacks that draw you into the story. In terms of character development, each character is well-developed and given a backstory. Although they behave strangely, you relate to the characters and identify with their struggles.
Bringing these characters to life is an award-worthy ensemble of actors. The entire cast is committed to bringing the book to life and deliver astounding performances. It may be too early in the year to talk about awards, but the two leading stars deserve recognition.
Brie Larson delivers one of the best performances of her career as Jeannette. Coming off her Oscar-winning turn in “Room”, Larson takes on another emotional role. This time, she plays a woman haunted by her past. It is a difficult role to do justice to, but Larson absolutely nails it. Through haunting expressions, she conveys the anger, fear and frustration of a woman that can’t escape her past. Although it is an emotionally draining role, Larson proves that she is capable of playing these roles to perfection.
Woody Harrelson is amazing in the role of an alcoholic father struggling to raise his family. It is a challenging role that requires the actor to play two different personas: a raging alcoholic and a caring father. Harrelson portrays both sides of the character perfectly. Intense, charismatic and larger-than-life, he proves that he is one of the finest actors working today.
These actors are up to the challenge of carrying “The Glass Castle”, but ultimately they cannot make up for the film’s flaws. Although the movie is beautifully acted, it suffers from an overlong running time. At a little over 2 hours, the movie is a little long and drags towards the end. There are a couple of scenes that feel unnecessary and out of place. For instance, the scenes set in present day are less engaging than Jeannette’s childhood. If the filmmakers had paid more attention to the editing, it would have elevated the movie to another level.
In the end, “The Glass Castle” is a moving but flawed adaptation of Jeannette Walls’ memoir. Nevertheless, fans of the novel will definitely enjoy the film and so will movie-goers seeking a profound message. In a Summer that has offered it’s fair share of forgettable movies, this is one that I won’t soon forget.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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