Once upon a time, a great actor known as Johnny Depp played characters that weren't a human form of cartoons. Don't get me wrong, I loved Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow and I am sure he will nail Tonto in the Lone Ranger as well, but it has been way too long since it seems like Johnny Depp has challenged himself dramatically. While watching "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" for the first time, I was reminded why Johnny Depp is known as such a versatile actor. The way Depp can show such a range of emotion in just his face and eyes is nearly unmatched by anyone.
Johnny Depp stars as Gilbert Grape lives in Endora, Iowa with his two sisters, mentally challenged brother and his five hundred pound mother. Gilbert, 24 years old, is starting to realize that he is stuck in this small town life. Caring for both his brother, Arnie, and his Momma, Gilbert gets very little time for himself. Watching Arnie is a 24/7 job since at any second he could be completely out of sight and you immediately assume the worst. Gilberts "Momma," after years of letting go of herself, now weighs around 500 pounds never leaves the house let alone her couch. Gilbert works at the local grocery market in Endora. Gilbert says "Lamson's Groceries is where I work, Foodland is where everyone else shops." Foodland is the new supermarket that was built just outside of town. I personally enjoyed the similarities between Lamson's Groceries and Gilberts life. Just as Foodland has surpassed Lamsons in every way possible, leaving Lamsons a shell of what it once was, the same could be said for the way life has passed Gilbert now that he is forced to take care of his family. When asked if he ever shops at Foodland, Gilbert gives a quick sarcastic reply "I'd rather die." Though he was talking about Foodland, it seems that he also feels the same way for his life. His father committed suicide in their basement, his older brother moved away and is never seen in the movie. Because of this past, loyalty is everything to Gilbert, both on the giving and recieving end. He constantly hooks up with a bored housewife when he delivers her groceries. I really liked her response when he asked why she chose him to hook up with, "Because I knew you'd always be there. I knew you'd never leave." Gilbert probably wouldn't have even thought of leaving if it hadn't been for Becky, traveling in a camper with her mom, ends up in Endora when their truck breaks down. Becky and Gilbert bond and Gilbert sees what the world has to offer for him. With the weight of caring for Arnie and his mother becomes harder and harder to bear and with Becky showing the hope of what could be, Gilbert must decide just how much loyalty means to him.
While Johnny Depp was brilliant in this movie, Leonardo Dicaprio stole the spotlight. Leo played Arnie Grape, the mentally challenged brother of Gilbert, and demanded the viewers attention in every scene he was in. The range of emotions he showed in this movie is staggering. In my opinion this is the best work Leo has done to date. Darlene Cates played Momma and though this is the first and only movie she's appeared in, she plays the part very well. Cates also, because of her weight, did not leave her home for five years and was featured on an episode of Sally Jesse Raphael. After Sally, Cates was approached to play Momma and took the chance. Since the movie, Cates has lost 250 pounds and hopes to start acting again in the future. (Full Story) A few other notable cast members were Juliette Lewis, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Kevin Tighe, and Mr. Density himself, Crispin Glover.
This movie was delightful and much better than I expected. Besides a few slow parts and couple minor things I wish they cleared up earlier in the movie, there is not much to criticize in this movie. Gilberts two sisters didn't show much character and were pretty bland, but to be honest, the movie wasn't about them so it was easy to look over. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.
Johnny Depp stars as Gilbert Grape lives in Endora, Iowa with his two sisters, mentally challenged brother and his five hundred pound mother. Gilbert, 24 years old, is starting to realize that he is stuck in this small town life. Caring for both his brother, Arnie, and his Momma, Gilbert gets very little time for himself. Watching Arnie is a 24/7 job since at any second he could be completely out of sight and you immediately assume the worst. Gilberts "Momma," after years of letting go of herself, now weighs around 500 pounds never leaves the house let alone her couch. Gilbert works at the local grocery market in Endora. Gilbert says "Lamson's Groceries is where I work, Foodland is where everyone else shops." Foodland is the new supermarket that was built just outside of town. I personally enjoyed the similarities between Lamson's Groceries and Gilberts life. Just as Foodland has surpassed Lamsons in every way possible, leaving Lamsons a shell of what it once was, the same could be said for the way life has passed Gilbert now that he is forced to take care of his family. When asked if he ever shops at Foodland, Gilbert gives a quick sarcastic reply "I'd rather die." Though he was talking about Foodland, it seems that he also feels the same way for his life. His father committed suicide in their basement, his older brother moved away and is never seen in the movie. Because of this past, loyalty is everything to Gilbert, both on the giving and recieving end. He constantly hooks up with a bored housewife when he delivers her groceries. I really liked her response when he asked why she chose him to hook up with, "Because I knew you'd always be there. I knew you'd never leave." Gilbert probably wouldn't have even thought of leaving if it hadn't been for Becky, traveling in a camper with her mom, ends up in Endora when their truck breaks down. Becky and Gilbert bond and Gilbert sees what the world has to offer for him. With the weight of caring for Arnie and his mother becomes harder and harder to bear and with Becky showing the hope of what could be, Gilbert must decide just how much loyalty means to him.
While Johnny Depp was brilliant in this movie, Leonardo Dicaprio stole the spotlight. Leo played Arnie Grape, the mentally challenged brother of Gilbert, and demanded the viewers attention in every scene he was in. The range of emotions he showed in this movie is staggering. In my opinion this is the best work Leo has done to date. Darlene Cates played Momma and though this is the first and only movie she's appeared in, she plays the part very well. Cates also, because of her weight, did not leave her home for five years and was featured on an episode of Sally Jesse Raphael. After Sally, Cates was approached to play Momma and took the chance. Since the movie, Cates has lost 250 pounds and hopes to start acting again in the future. (Full Story) A few other notable cast members were Juliette Lewis, John C. Reilly, Mary Steenburgen, Kevin Tighe, and Mr. Density himself, Crispin Glover.
This movie was delightful and much better than I expected. Besides a few slow parts and couple minor things I wish they cleared up earlier in the movie, there is not much to criticize in this movie. Gilberts two sisters didn't show much character and were pretty bland, but to be honest, the movie wasn't about them so it was easy to look over. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.
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