Glassland (2016)

12/8/17. This was actually a very good portrayal about what alcoholism does to a family. Reynor does a phenomenal job as the young adult son of Toni Collette's alcoholic mother at the verge of dying because of her excesses with drink. This is the first time I have seen such a sensitive portrayal about a son who is torn apart by having to be a caretaker of a parent with a severe substance abuse disorder. You can feel his pain as he dutifully does all he can to try and save his mother from herself. While totally depressing, this movie is worth watching to remind us that when people have a substance use disorder, they are not the only one in pain, it affects EVERYONE around them. Also, a good portrayal of those who provide services to these people and their families.

Here is an engaging, well-told story about addiction and the relationship between mother and son. Sounds melodramatic, and in aspects it could be, but it never feels like such a film. The whole thing is fully realized, very well-written, with a clear, true eye for the characters and who they are. The two leads are fantastic, especially Jack Reynor who I was previously impressed by in What Richard Did. He's a true leading actor, and he has proved to have the talent to really dive into raw, strong material. The film would be worth it just for him, but all of the actors are committed. This is definitely very recommended for all filmgoers.

Glassland has been on my radar for a long time. In my old pre-children life I know that we would have got to the cinema for it for sure, as the second I heard the jist of it it sounded appealing. I am a fan of grim, gritty movies, English directors Ken Loach, Mike Leigh and Shane Meadows are some examples of my favourite film makers, and I do believe that this part of the world does grim in a way that Hollywood just simply could even begin to capture.The 6.1 review did cause mild surprise, however I also note that a mere 245 individuals managed to brave the movie. Not everybody would say this type of raw drama is their cup of tea, I get that. I have friends and acquaintances who would have zero interest in watching a movie that dealt with pain, misery and social deprivation. Many prefer watching something that leaves them happy and unchallenged. I respect that, but don't share the view.Glassland looks at a mother-son relationship that has been flipped on its' head - John (Jack Reynor) the son has to mind his alcoholic shambles of a mother Jean (Toni Collette), and does so through hard work, maturity and self sacrifice in the face of apathy and an unswerving appetite for destruction. It's not pretty. Already a fan of Toni Collette, I now have serious respect for her. This was far from a handy role, and was hardly chosen because it might enhance her career. Must have been a tough, emotionally challenging role to play but she carries it off with aplomb. Although her Dublin accent was not perfect, such was the overall quality of her entirely plausible performance in capturing the essence of this trouble lady that any shortcomings in pronunciation felt trivial. She is truly magnificent.Reynor also picks up from where he left off after his brilliant acting in What Richard Did, and offered another reminder that we will, in all likelihood, be seeing plenty more of him in the coming years.Honestly, not an awful lot happens. It is not a barrel of laughs. But if you enjoy convincing social realism with no frills direction and strong characters inhabiting a recession era Ireland in a way that is both authentic and sombre, then there is much to admire in Glassland

John (Jack Reynor) is a taxi driver in Dublin; he works the graveyard shift and comes home to his mother. She is addicted to alcohol and one day he arrives home to find her overdosed in bed. This is the wake up call he finally realises for him to make an attempt to save her from herself.The thing is he is going to need money to help her if it is going to work and that is when he turns to an easier way to make money and this will take him places he never really wanted to go.Now this can be a difficult watch in places. Toni Colette as his mother is just spellbinding in her portrayal of a woman who has lost everything in her life except 'the silent friend' that comes bottled and makes things feel right if only for a short time. Reynor plays this with a straight forward sense of frustration beyond the limits of duration – but with a heart full of love. There are some sub plots too but this is essentially a relationship film with some twists. It is though a very well made and realised film that will do no harm to the careers of anyone involved – completely recommended.