“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is a poignant drama about a family trapped in a small town, where Gilbert (Johnny Depp) feels like his life is stuck in quicksand. He takes care of his mentally challenged brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio), as well as his overbearing mother and two teenage sisters, all while dreaming of escaping his responsibilities and the monotony of his hometown. But when a free-spirited young woman named Becky (Juliette Lewis) comes into town, Gilbert begins to see glimpses of hope for himself and his family.
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Review
“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is a captivating movie that explores the life of a small-town boy named Gilbert Grape, played by Johnny Depp, who is struggling to find his place in the world. This movie was directed by Lasse Hallström, written by Peter Hedges, and was released in 1993.
The storyline of “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” centers around the everyday lives of the Grape family. Gilbert runs a small grocery store and takes care of his obese mother Bonnie, played remarkably by Darlene Cates, his mentally challenged younger brother Arnie, portrayed perfectly by Leonardo DiCaprio, and his two sisters Amy and Ellen. The arrival of Becky (Juliette Lewis), a young woman who is passing through town, brings unexpected changes to the Grapes’ lives.
One of the key themes in this film is identity crisis. Gilbert struggles with finding his place in society while being burdened with the responsibility of taking care of his family. The audience can empathize with him as he gets increasingly frustrated with life in Endora, Iowa. His desire for liberation conflicts with his loyalty to stay behind and take care of those that need him.
The quirky characters in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” are brought to life brilliantly by an excellent cast. Johnny Depp embodies Gilbert’s frustration beautifully as he grapples with caring for an emotionally demanding family while trying to build a life for himself outside their small town community. Meanwhile, Darlene Cates’ portrayal of Bonnie reflects that there is more than one way to feel trapped – she may be physically trapped but her mind is sharp.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance as Arnie should not be overlooked either – it’s hard to imagine anyone else doing such a fine job portraying someone living on their own plane of reality so convincingly.
In terms of direction and cinematography, Hallström does an exceptional job capturing the small town feel of Endora, Iowa. The film’s picturesque setting plays a significant role in the movie’s plot and gives the audience an understanding of how the characters’ lives are impacted by their surroundings.
The score is also noteworthy, with its haunting melodies that create the perfect ambiance for each scene. The music sets the tone and evokes emotions that make Gilbert’s struggles all the more relatable.
“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, thanks to DiCaprio’s mesmerizing performance. However, it is hard to believe that Depp was not recognized for his outstanding portrayal of Gilbert. His acting was masterful and kept viewers engaged throughout the movie.
Criticism on “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” was scarce, but some audiences found it difficult to connect with some of the characters’ idiosyncrasies. However, those same quirks are what make this movie special – they add depth and realism to an already well-written script.
As far as popularity goes, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” has stood up over time as a classic coming-of-age drama. It is still being watched and talked about today because it tackled social and personal issues head-on while still maintaining a sense of humor that makes it approachable and enjoyable.
In conclusion, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is a powerful film that showcases human struggle in a very relatable way. From its exceptional cast performances to its breathtaking cinematography, every element comes together perfectly to create a timeless piece of cinema history. It offers a window into our own struggles with limitations we perceive within ourselves or those imposed upon us by society. Despite being made almost three decades ago, this movie has never been more relevant than now – making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a thought-provoking film experience!
Technical Data
- Runtime : 118
- Release : 1993-12-17
- Genre : Romance, Drama
- Cast : Johnny Depp as Gilbert Grape, Leonardo DiCaprio as Arnie Grape, Juliette Lewis as Becky, Mary Steenburgen as Betty Carver, Darlene Cates as Bonnie Grape
- Crew : Alan C. Blomquist as Executive Producer, Peter Hedges as Screenplay, Peter Hedges as Novel, Björn Isfält as Original Music Composer, Bertil Ohlsson as Producer
- Popularity 27.113
- Budget : $11,000,000
- Revenue : $10,032,765
- Company : Paramount
- Summary : Gilbert Grape is a small-town young man with a lot of responsibility. Chief among his concerns are his mother, who is so overweight that she can’t leave the house, and his mentally impaired younger brother, Arnie, who has a knack for finding trouble. Settled into a job at a grocery store and an ongoing affair with local woman Betty Carver, Gilbert finally has his life shaken up by the free-spirited Becky.
- Tagline : Life is a terrible thing to sleep through.
