The Glass Castle
A young girl is raised in a dysfunctional family constantly on the run from the FBI. Living in poverty, she comes of age guided by her drunkard, ingenious father who distracts her with magical stories to keep her mind off the family's dire state, and her selfish, nonconformist mother who has no intention of raising a family, along with her younger brother and sister, and her other older sister. Together, they fend for each other as they mature in an unorthodox journey that is their family life.
Critics Sentiment
Rex arrives at college with gambling winnings for Jeannette
Family lives without utilities in wilderness house for days
The film drops significantly during the extended poverty sequences in Welch, then recovers strongly with Rex's emotional college visit.
The Glass Castle maintains solid emotional engagement through strong performances, particularly Harrelson's complex portrayal of Rex. However, critics noted tonal inconsistencies between dark abuse sequences and lighter family moments, with the overly sentimental ending undermining the film's earlier honest examination of dysfunction. The film succeeds most when focusing on the father-daughter relationship but struggles with pacing and narrative balance.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 39
Brie Larson
Jeannette Walls
Woody Harrelson
Rex Walls
Naomi Watts
Rose Mary Walls
Max Greenfield
David
Sarah Snook
Lori Walls
Ella Anderson
Jeannette Walls (Age 10)
Sadie Sink
Lori Walls (Age 12)
Robin Bartlett
Erma Walls
Chandler Head
Jeannette Walls (Age 5 and 6)
Iain Armitage
Brian Walls (Age 5)
Jack Haven
Maureen Walls
Josh Caras
Brian Walls
Olivia Kate Rice
Lori Walls (Age 7)
Charlie Stowell
Young Brian Walls
Charlie Guyon
Baby Maureen Walls
Noemie Guyon
Baby Maureen Walls
Eden Grace Redfield
Maureen Walls (Age 3 )
Shree Crooks
Maureen Walls (Age 7)
Dominic Bogart
Robbie
Joe Pingue
Stanley
Crew
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