This one could be called The Great Santini, The Mosquito Coast, This Boy's Life & countless other titles which fall along the same lines as this film where an impoverished upbringing whether by circumstances or intent forces a protagonist to make good what life has given her. Oscar winner Brie Larsen stars as a NY gossip columnist looking back at the ramshackle existence that was her life under the schematic rearing by her irresponsible parents played by Woody Harrelson & Naomi Watts. Not even footage of the actual family members glimpsed at the end of the film can sway this viewer from any form of sympathy. They sucked as parents, move on...

Wonderful movie about a real family. Loved the story & love Woody In it. Makes you feel raw emotions but ends with nothing but love & appreciation for family.

This movie really bothered me. Rex Walls was not a misunderstood man whose demons excused the neglect and abuse he made his family suffer. He was a drunk con-artist who made his family suffer by not providing them with food or shelter. He was also an expert in conning his children into believing that he actually loved and cared about them. The Mom was not portrayed properly, she was equally complicit with the neglect and horrible childhood those children endured. The movie should have been about the children and how they somehow managed to thrive, not their horrible alcoholic father and lazy mother.

A man's life and plans for his family are like the desire to build a glass castle for them to enjoy. Most of the time, the glass castle is never built. Powerful performance by Woody Harrelson and Ella Anderson. Brie Larson must be noted for her part marking this film enjoyable.