It is common for storylines in film and television to include conflicts involving dysfunctional families, toxic relationships, and addiction because audiences can relate and sympathize with characters struggling with such hardships. However, when the words "based on a true story" appear before a film begins, those conflicts and characters hold a different power. The emotions of viewers tend to be heightened due to the fact that what happens on the screen was truly experienced by someone in real life. The Glass Castle happens to be one of those films that has fans on the edge of their seats as they witness the troubling past of a young girl.
Based on Jeannette Walls' memoir of the same name, The Glass Castle film does an excellent job at depicting the chaotic and nomadic life that Walls once lived. Check out 10 things the movie got right when recreating not only Walls' difficult upbringing, but also her mature acceptance of her childhood when she is an adult.
Woody Harrelson Being Cast as Rex Walls
Rex Walls, the alcoholic patriarch of the family, becomes a focus point in both the book and the movie. When having to cast the character, it was crucial to not only get someone who looks like a roughed-up blue-collar man, but also an actor that could bring a certain disorderly energy to the role. Woody Harrelson did just that. From his natural hard and angry look to his smooth and confident tone, Harrelson was the perfect fit to play Rex Walls. His ability to use subtle movements and slightly change his voice from caring to matter-of-fact to menacing within just seconds of a scene is incredible.
Flashing Back to Jeannette's Childhood
Aside from the first three pages, the memoir follows a chronological storyline. The Glass Castle's movie adaptation, however, incorporates Jeannette's childhood as flashbacks. This tactic is beneficial because the audience can better connect Jeannette's modern day feelings and actions to the events of her childhood. After a physical altercation between her fiancé, David, and her father, Jeannette tries to defend her family. Shortly afterward, the next scene jumps back in time to when she and her siblings were dropped off at their grandmother's house. They were put in a situation where the siblings banded together to protect their brother. It is easy to see the connection of how Jeannette has always felt the need to defend her family regardless of age or circumstance.
Jeannette's Fiancé Representing Capitalism and Stability
Though David is not a real person from Walls' past, nor is he a true depiction of her previous relationships, what he represents in her life is important. In an interview with Glamour, Max Greenfield talks about his character, David, being the antithesis of Jeannette's past. He is a wealthy financial analyst whereas Jeannette's father could not hold on to money long enough to constantly keep food on the table. David lives in a lavish apartment filled with art, yet Jeannette was raised with her mother consistently choosing her art projects over her own children. When David and Rex meet, it is no surprise that Jeannette's father feels the need to show off because David is everything Rex is not.
Erma's Abuse Sheds Light on Rex's Past
Though actors take on roles and say lines that were written for a script, it is obvious that some scenes are tough for an audience to watch. In The Glass Castle, Jeannette and her siblings endure different forms of abuse, but when her younger brother, Brian, gets molested by his paternal grandmother, it is natural to want to look away. This event not only shows how bonded the siblings are when they all attack their grandmother, but it also gives some insight as to why Rex struggles with relationships. Rex comments that "Brian is a man [and] he can take care of himself." This reaction to his mother's actions makes the audience question what has happened to Rex in the past.
Struggling with Addiction
Addiction is never an isolated conflict. It affects everyone who loves and wants to help the one struggling with substance abuse. In the film, Rex shows a range of emotions when drunk. At times, he is a happy and lighthearted man, but then he quickly turns into a terrifying and angry drunk. The movie does a great job at depicting what it is like to experience an addict detoxing. Rex voluntarily gets strapped to a bed for several days to get the toxins out of his body. He tries to manipulate his favorite child, Jeannette, into getting him some booze, but when she refuses, he screams and curses at her. After he is released from the room, Jeannette appears hopeful that life will be good. Unfortunately, Rex relapses after his mother molests his son.
Life Lessons Seeming Larger Than Life
At a young age, Jeannette realized her father's dream of building a glass castle for the whole family was just an outlandish fantasy. She began to see the flaws in her hero, but when she grew up, she realized that a lot of the advice and stories she received held important life lessons. When Rex was teaching Jeannette to swim, he consistently threw her into the water until she learned to paddle herself to safety. From the outside looking in, the scene looks like a man causing his daughter harm because she appears to be drowning. However, after she storms off, rightfully angry and frustrated with her father, Rex takes ahold of Jeannette's arms and tells her that she cannot avoid something because it is scary.
Rex's Aggressive Nature Towards Men
In every scene, it is apparent that Rex seems to need to be the smartest and toughest person in the room. When a male doctor came to speak with the family about Jeannette being in the hospital, Rex puffed out his chest and immediately took on a threatening tone. Later on, when Rex meets Jeannette's fiancé, there is a certain intimidating bravado that Rex establishes. To show off his physical strength and further put David "in his place," Rex challenges David to an arm wresting contest. To everyone's surprise, David wins. Rex is visibly angry, and his ego has been hurt. Three of his grown children congratulate David, but Rex becomes so consumed with the idea that he has been emasculated that he punches David in the face.
The Apathy That Comes with Schemes
It is one thing to bring his children into the mix of his schemes, but it is a horrible shame when he does not care what happens to them after he has reaped the rewards. When trying to hustle a pool player for some money, Rex tells Jeannette to be sweet on the guy and distract him, so that Rex can win. After four round, Rex is $80 richer. When the guy asks Rex if he can take Jeannette upstairs, Rex says she can take care of herself even though Jeannette is shaking her head to indicate she does not want to go. His lack of care for his daughter's wellbeing in this scene creates an uneasy feeling that fans cannot shake. Later on, all of Rex's children come to not trust their father.
Brie Larson Channels Jeannette's Emotions
Walls' upbringing rightfully sparks a lot of emotions from her fans. With Brie Larson playing the adult Jeannette, it was important that she take into consideration everything her character, and the real Jeannette Walls, had been through. When her father and her fiancé engage in an arm wresting match, Larson perfectly goes from a poised young woman to the feral and angry individual Jeannette has needed to release. In another scene, when Jeannette is speaking to her dying father, Larson is able to show a range of emotions through minimal expression changes. She appears hurt, betrayed, and accepting all while a couple tears roll down her face.
The Comforting Ending
After Rex has passed, the family gathers for Thanksgiving at Jeannette's house. Everyone seems better established as adults, and Brian even has a wife and child. The positive conversation and remembrance of Rex's crazy antics is comforting, but the feeling that everyone has overcome countless hurdles is present. Each family member is able to smile and laugh while reflecting on the rather rough times of their childhood. Though the real Jeannette Walls' life has continued beyond the holiday celebration with her family, the ending to this film brings a warm closure to those who sympathized with the Walls children on their journey.