The Glass Menagerie

PG

1987

2h 14m

Drama

List

75%

12 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

Tom Wingfield looks back on his relationship with his mother, Amanda, and sister, Laura, all of whom were abandoned by patriarch Mr. Wingfield 16 years earlier. Tom chafes at his dead-end job, while Amanda longs for the security of the past and frets anxiously about prospects for Laura, who has a crippled foot that has left her vulnerable and insecure. Tom invites a friend to dinner, whom Laura has known from school, raising Amanda's and Laura's hopes that a romantic match is possible.

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StephenPaul C

The greatest 02 hours: and 14 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/07/23

Full Review

steve d

Really powerful version.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A really beautiful story that is told extremely well by John Malkovich and Joanne Woodward, but I just feel like something was lost in the translation for Karen Allen. I mean of course it's not intended to be realistic, John Malkovich says it himself in the opening, but the problem for her isn't realism its this strange sense I get from her like she's urgently waiting for something, but I know the character isn't. Overall, the film was good, not great. Of course Malkovich delivers a standout performance, but other than that the film was simply good.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It is such a tender and immense movie. There is just one room in the movie. But that one room becomes a place of despair and pain, which Tom Wingfield passes in and out of, making clear its reference to being tied down in the prosaic lifestyle. Yet - hence, tenderness - it's the oddest of all situations; he has a mother who is completely repelling, but he's still connected to her for she is his mother. He is connected to his sister, Laura in the same sort of way. Laura is a pitiful character locked in her mother's home by shyness. This is not to upset balance in this movie. There is the situation I've mentioned, but there is also a story, which gives active anticipation no matter how slim and forgettable it really is. Then there is - to some's surprise - dry humor. The latter I believe, for myself, is a consequence of great screenwriting. Tennessee Williams is a genius

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I enjoyed it. It awkward and sad at the same time. It has John Malkovich in it which is probably why I saw it. Anyways it's a lovely film with great acting. Not well known. I'm glad I found it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Moving adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play. Deftly and beautifully directed by Paul Newman. In fact, the performances are reminiscent of Newman's own acting - sensitive, understated, real. John Malkovich, Joanne Woodward and Karen Allen deliver in spades.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

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Paul Newman

Director

Joanne Woodward

Amanda Wingfield

John Malkovich

Tom Wingfield

Karen Allen

Laura Wingfield

James Naughton

Jim O'Connor

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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

Thankfully treats the text as sacred while the actors treat the characters as people.

Dec 7, 2022

Full Review

James Ivory

Sight & Sound

The best Menagerie I have ever seen on stage or screen.

Jan 27, 2020

Full Review

Alberto Abuín

Espinof

A film where Newman's staging and Henry Mancini's nostalgic soundtrack truly stands out. [Full review in Spanish]

Nov 22, 2016

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 3/5

Oct 8, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 14, 2005

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Remains true to the Chekhovian flavor of this classic by Tennessee Williams.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 27, 2004

Full Review

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Synopsis

Tom Wingfield looks back on his relationship with his mother, Amanda, and sister, Laura, all of whom were abandoned by patriarch Mr. Wingfield 16 years earlier. Tom chafes at his dead-end job, while Amanda longs for the security of the past and frets anxiously about prospects for Laura, who has a crippled foot that has left her vulnerable and insecure. Tom invites a friend to dinner, whom Laura has known from school, raising Amanda's and Laura's hopes that a romantic match is possible.

Director: Paul Newman
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Box Office (Gross USA): $332.9K
Runtime: 2h 14m