The Glass Castle (Drama, 2017)

We all have our stories. The stories that make up our life. Some of us dwell on the "bad" things, while others remember only the good times. Ms. Walls' memoir describes her unconventional childhood with bohemian parents who cared more for freedom and independence than for feeding their kids. Fortunate we all are to have families that dysfunction in even small ways because they provide us with stories for a lifetime. Such is writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton's The Glass Castle, a story based on Jeannette Wells's (Brie Larson) family, overloaded by a dad, Rex,whose oversized personality, big brain, and capacity for booze dominates the four children through their adult years.


One of The Glass Castle's strongest aspects is how it takes an experience unique to a small amount of people, and makes it so relatable to the masses. 99% of the people watching this movie have not had an upbringing like Jeanette's, but the film crafts the story in a way that you can form parallels to your own life. This isn't just telling the story of someone's childhood; it becomes a commentary on the ups and downs of family life itself. If you're looking for a good (ugly) cry, this is the one for you.


Recommended by Monica Shine
Click here to view in the catalog.