By Marissa Donovan
The life of Jeannette Walls has made it to the silver screen in The Glass Castle. Walls (Brie Larson) reflects back on her childhood struggles with poverty while handling the shame of her family’s unconventional choices. She attempts to start a new chapter of her life with love interest David (Max Greenfield), but her parents (Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts) want to keep their daughter grounded in their ways.
This drama can give us relationship advice for dealing with family problems in our own lives!
Should you see it:
Director and screenwriter Destin Daniel Cretton has already proved to audiences in his last film Short Term 12, that he can create heartfelt films that accurately depict complicated relationships. This Jeanette Walls memoir has also been put on New York’s Best Seller list. This film is worth watching for those who also enjoyed Larson’s performance as a troubled mother in Room.
Who to take:Â
This film is date night worthy for book-loving couples! Try reading the book before you watch the film, and talk about the the two bodies of work as a couple.
Cupid’s Advice:
In The Glass Castle, David and Jeanette seem to come from two different lifestyles. Although David is excited to be a part of her life, Jeanette feels embarrassed by her family. As a couple, you need to respect your differences, even if that means dealing with family drama. Here are some ways you and your partner can handle family drama as a couple:
1. Provide support for family: If your family or your partner’s family is in a hard place right now, help them by offering to let them live with you temporarily. You could also give them money to help them during their tough time. They may not take your offering, but at the end of the day, you’ll know that you tried to help as much as you could.
Related Link: Movie Review: ‘Lady Macbeth’ Exhibits Drama, Romance and Affairs
2. Keep distance while still staying close:Â Sometimes all family members want is space. You or your partner may feel the need to distance yourself from certain family members. That’s okay, but try not to cut ties with your family! It’s okay to not be on speaking terms after drama happens, but still remember how important they are. Check up on how they are doing by speaking with another family member that’s close with them or eventually have you and your partner speak to them.
Related Link: Family Chaos Commences in ‘What We Did on Our Holiday’
3. See a family therapist: It’s nice to sit down with your family and discuss the problems you have together. Having a family therapist can help you work out problems that have gone unresolved since childhood or new problems that have recently occurred. You and your partner should attend sessions together just to make sure everyone is on the same page. It’s also okay to have more private sessions with family, but at least let each other know how you are feeling.
Have you worked out family drama with your partner? Help our readers by sharing your experience in the comments!
