By Robert Scucci
| Printed
Typically a thriller is just a bit too on the nostril, and it loses its capacity to generate suspense since you already know the entire beats going into it. 2001’s The Glass Home is a masterclass in setting you up for what you already know goes to occur, which is a disgrace as a result of it’s acted and shot nicely, however its screenplay by no means permits the viewer to learn between the strains. It’s your traditional story about two youngsters getting adopted by their rich godparents and given a residing state of affairs that appears too good to be true.
As you’d anticipate, every little thing appears too good to be true as a result of it’s. The Glass Home makes the deadly mistake of laying all of its playing cards on the desk far too early to permit for a satisfying payoff, and since issues escalate shortly, its complete premise will get pushed into absurd territory earlier than you even notice that the antagonists have the final title Glass and reside inside a literal glass home. If you end up questioning, “What might presumably go flawed right here?” you’ll determine it out shortly.
These Who Stay In Glass Homes …
Exhibiting its namesake in each a figurative and painfully literal sense, The Glass Home wastes no time establishing its battle. Sixteen-year-old Ruby (Leelee Sobieski) and her 11-year-old brother Rhett Baker are orphaned when their mother and father, David (Michael O’Keefe) and Grace (Rita Wilson), are tragically killed in a automobile wreck after celebrating their twentieth marriage ceremony anniversary. After the funeral, Ruby and Rhett be taught that they’re going to reside with Terry (Stellan Skarsgard) and Erin (Diane Lane) Glass, an exceedingly rich couple who go means again with the Baker household.
Earlier than transitioning to their new residing state of affairs, Ruby is knowledgeable by her mother and father’ belief fund lawyer, Alvin Begleiter (Bruce Dern), that she and her brother won’t ever have to fret about cash as adults, due to their mother and father’ sensible monetary selections earlier than their deaths.
Nearly instantly, you may inform one thing is off. Terry makes sexual passes at Ruby, whereas Rhett is purchased off with the latest online game techniques to maintain him distracted from the familial and monetary malfeasance that’s about to happen. Terry owns a luxurious automobile dealership, and Ruby witnesses him being threatened by mortgage sharks after he talks about his new “private piggy financial institution.” Erin, a distinguished doctor within the space, is seen on multiple event taking pictures up medication and blacking out in the lounge, which she at all times explains away as her every day insulin wanted to deal with her diabetes.
Although the authorities finally become involved in The Glass Homethere’s not a lot that Alvin can do when Ruby voices her considerations to him. Ruby’s non-public conversations with Alvin, the social employees, in addition to her private emails, are seemingly reviewed by Terry forward of time, leading to him at all times having the right reply when questioned in regards to the household dynamic by a 3rd social gathering. We all know the Glass household is as much as no good, and we all know Ruby and Rhett are in peril, so there isn’t a lot stress baked into the film. The setup makes no different final result potential, which leaves you hoping there’s one thing you’re lacking that might really generate suspense.
When In Doubt, Pay attention To The Movie Rating
The most important challenge I take with The Glass Home is its patronizing sound design and movie rating. The music itself is ok and precisely what you’d anticipate from a thriller, however it additionally serves as a blunt cue for each sinister factor occurring contained in the Glass residence. Ruby snoops round whereas Terry watches her each transfer, ready to confront her, so in fact the string part is brooding and plucky, with the occasional dissonant piano notes stabbing by way of the combo. Each single crescendo exists to let you know {that a} soar scare or reveal is coming.
Terry and Erin are picture-perfect through the day, however the second the solar units, they’re arguing behind closed doorways, and Terry begins doing his soiled work. Ruby begins the movie as a troubled, directionless pupil going by way of a rebellious section, after which she’s abruptly essentially the most perceptive teenager you’ve ever seen, clocking all of Terry’s problematic conduct and elegantly manipulating her means out of a horrifying dwelling life.
The Glass Homewhich is meant to operate as a thrillerhas zero thrills as a result of each trope is used to its fullest, and all of them result in their most blatant conclusion. When you’ve by no means seen a thriller, it really works as a stable primer for newcomers or youthful audiences as a result of it wears all of its conventions on its sleeve, which isn’t inherently a foul factor in case you’re simply attempting to familiarize your self with the beats earlier than transferring on to one thing extra refined. When you’re already deep into the style, although, this one most likely gained’t supply a lot past frustration.
As of this writing, The Glass Home is streaming on Netflix.