"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is a deeply moving glimpse into the frustration, sadness and triumph of love in what some would classify as a dysfunctional family. As the mentally retarded Arnie, Leonardo DiCaprio turns in an incredibly realistic performance; his gestures, his often repetitive speech...everything about his acting seems so perfect for the role he plays. (And I say this as one who has worked with the mentally retarded). It is no wonder he received an Oscar nomination. The story is told mainly through the eyes of Johnny Depp's character, Gilbert who despite his deep love for Arnie is still frustrated by the limitations that caring for Arnie places on his life. Top that off with a morbidly obese mother whom Gilbert is (reluctantly) ashamed of and a younger sister who is an oftentimes irritating troublemaker and you can see why Gilbert sometimes yearns for life to be a little easier. As a clerk in the local grocery store, Gilbert has fallen into a relationship with an older married woman (played by Mary Steenburgen) but finds himself drawn to a new girl in town (Juliette Lewis) with whom he develops a friendly, then caring relationship. Strained relations with the town's law enforcement officials ensue after Arnie repeatedly climbs the water tower and Arnie is arrested. Gilbert's mother played by Darlene Cates) who hasn't left the house in seven years, takes matters into her own hands and the results are at once triumphant and tragic. Depp is marvelous as Gilbert. His sense of despair and self hatred after he loses control and hits Arnie seem totally realistic and understandable. The younger sister who seems like such a brat at the beginning becomes more humanized as we see her vulnerability. The mother's battle with shame and humiliation over her obesity makes us all more attuned to our own shameful insensitivity. Quirky, no doubt, sad no doubt again. But ultimately, "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" turns out to be a testament to love, caring and family loyalty. A marvelous movie.
Everyone in the film is constantly expecting a lot from Gilbert. Whether it's the plea from his momma that he's "gotta do better", the complaints from his sisters that he never does anything (when in fact, he does everything), or the selfishness of the married woman (Mary Steenburgen) with whom he's having an unfulfilling affair, Gilbert can't seem to ever be good enough. Contrast this with the just-happy-to-be-here existence of Arnie, who blithely tells anyone that will listen, "I can go at anytime." It's a wonder that Gilbert ever has the strength to go on.
But go on he does, using just as much effort to keep the family together as he does repressing his own anger. The film's title is ironic, in that Gilbert shows little anguish; it just appears that something is "eating" at him. It's a rather benign description of his state of mind, but on the surface it works quite well. For the most part, he vents his anger in passively destructive ways. One early scene features a couple of kids standing by the side of the road, staring at the Grape house. When Gilbert sees them, he motions one over. All the kid wants to do is get a gander at the 500 pound woman inside, and Gilbert resignedly obliges, even going so far as lifting the kid up so he can see through the window. It's a very mean moment from a young man who is angelic by most accounts. But when he lets loose of his control, when his primal nature comes out, the anger and violence and wrath and fear is very apparent.
The actors are uniformly good, with a few who should be pointed out for special recognition.
Darlene Cates, who legend has it was discovered after an appearance on "The Sally Jessy Raphael" show, plays Momma. It was important for the story that Momma not be played by an actor in a fat suit; the audience needs to be as repulsed by her as the townspeople are. But it is equally important that the audience comes to understand her plight, and feel for the woman. Cates is authentic looking, and, more importantly, authentic acting. The pathos of Momma is apparent in every defeated sigh. And when she's called on for anger, as she is in one pivotal scene where she makes the terrifying choice to leave the house, it's painfully real.
Leonardo DiCaprio, in the years since this film came out, has polarized moviegoers in to two camps. There are those who swoon at the mere mention of his name, "Titanic"-philes and Tiger Beaters all. And there are those turn up their noses at the pretty boy actor, who will always be more style than substance. Neither of these groups will enjoy what Leo does in "Gilbert Grape". They may have to scrub clean all benefits of hindsight, or at the very least time travel back to 1993, to fully enjoy his performance. And oh what a performance it is. Common wisdom states that roles with physical or mental challenges, despite being the most often praised, are actually the easiest to play. Actors develop a series of ticks, and voila! A character! Leo, to his credit, is more than just a collection of ticks as Arnie. Sure, he's got messy hair, dirty fingernails, a nose in constant need of wiping, and a primal scream laugh. But he so disappears into his character, that any preconceptions you might have about the actor get lost, and a character fully emerges. It's a seamless and highly endearing performance.
As poignant as Cates is, and as flashy and sublime as DiCaprio is, it is Depp who holds the movie together. He has to play Gilbert close to the chest for the most part, relying more on his facial expressions rather than on the sparse dialogue to communicate what the character is all about. It's not an outwardly remarkable performance, but it is supremely effective. He gets drawn out of his shell, bit by bit, when Becky shows up. Becky, Juliette Lewis in star-child mode, is a perfect contrast to Gilbert. She's open and honest and willing to let others in. Lewis is charming here, a trait she doesn't get to show often enough. She and Depp have fine chemistry together, as they try to feel their way through young love.
But for most of the movie Depp plays a kind of straight man to DiCaprio's goofball antics. They have a wonderful chemistry together, for not only do they mine some restrained comedy from these scenes, but they also ably portray a strong brotherly bond. Gilbert will care for Arnie till the day he dies; Arnie loves and trusts Gilbert, even if he has not the mental capacity to understand why.
Lasse Hallstrom has a wise knack for silences, not just in the performances, where silence is golden, but also in the film's musical score. For the most part, except for some light piano work in the most important moments, everything is quiet and still. Which perfectly mimics the solitude of the small town, in which this heartbreaking, but ultimately life-affirming story, takes place.
Buy What's Eating Gilbert Grape Now
There aren't words enough to praise this picture. I've watched it more times than I can count, and I buy copies of it to give to other people. Leonardo DiCaptrio gives a performance a viewer will never forget; but equally invaluable is Depp's understated and perfectly sustained role as the hero. Depp can do anything as an actor! No one falters here ever, and the ultimate impact is huge and transformative. Make this part of your collection and share it with others. A great life affirming, love affirming and superbly crafted work. It's extremely entertaining as well. In fact, it's delightful. It's all that and absolutely magnificent at the same time.Read Best Reviews of What's Eating Gilbert Grape Here
I reserve the five-star treatment to items that are well worth repeated viewing/listening/reading. This is one such film.The story of Gilbert Grape is a coming-of-age story like none other. His father committed suicide when Gilbert was a preteen, and since then he's been the man of the family. And oh, what a family. This is as dysfunctional a lot as anyone you know.
But the great thing about the film is that they don't look down on this gang of misfits in any way. They are handled with dignity and realism, and Gilbert's stuck-in-a-rut life is as understandable as a stop sign. While the "and then enters the beautiful girl" plot line could easily become a too-easy Hollywood cliche, it doesn't come close.
Naturally I could say much about the plot here, but won't spoil it for those who haven't seen this masterpiece. Leonardo DiCaprio, in his debut as a featured movie performer, steals the show as mentally incapacitated Arnie, blowing away anyone's thought that he's just another pretty face. Johnny Depp is dead-on as the perpetually frustrated Gilbert, who's finally about to stop holding it together. And Mary Steenburgen, who's always wonderful, is again, as the small-town wife who's also hiding a dysfunctional family.
It's an emotional ride, this film, so be ready to shed some tears. No "chick flick" by any stretch, this is a film that manages to hit the bull's eye in every frame....and the bull's eye, you'll find, is painted squarely on your heart.
Want What's Eating Gilbert Grape Discount?
What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Plenty! A simple, beautifully told story of family loyalty and brotherly love. I was thoroughly impressed by the performance of Leo DiCaprio I thought that he definitely should have WON the Oscar he was nominated for his beautiful playing of Arnie! DiCaprio plays Depp's little retarded brother in such an utterly convincing and realistic way that one is captivated by the subtlety and amazing naturalness of talented DiCaprio's playing. Johnny Depp is excellent as usual as Arnie's concerned big brother (the title character) and Juliette Lewis (with a bad hair-day!) is adequate as Becky, the girl who wants to know what makes him tick. Darlene Cates does very well as the housebound (due to obesity) mother. I just think that Di Caprio's playing should be seen because it is deserving of kudos galore his performance is like a lesson in screen acting!
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