What's Eating Gilbert Grape

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  September 22, 2009

  SirPant

  I was a big fan of this film when it came out but on resent viewing, I was quite surprised by how much I disliked it. So there it is, I don?t like this film much!

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• 
  
  April 10, 2009

  mrpopcorn

  "Arnie knows a secret. His big brother Gilbert is the greatest person on the planet."
  
  Gilbert has care for his brother Arnie and his obese mother, which gets in the way when love walks into his life.
  
  REVIEW</...( read more)center>
  The story of a family, in a back water town, where we get to see each of them struggling with life. Johnny Depp, him again, gives yet another excellent performance as Gilbert, frustrated with his lot, wishing he could get away from his family, responsibilities and most of all Endora. He works to support his family, is having a less than fulfilling affair with an older married woman and is always looking out for his brother Arnie, played by Leonardo Di Caprio, but more of him later. Depp manages to capture every emotion perfectly, in an non-showy role he pulls you in and makes you believe.
  
  Ultimately this is a simple story, man struggles then finds love, but it's so much more, the relationships of the family Grape are very well observed, from the mother hugely overweight, causing the structure of the house to crumble to the growing pains of the sisters. Where this story strikes gold is with Arnie, I remember when I first saw this film I had no idea who Di Caprio was, I actually thought they had used a disabled actor to play the part, when watching that year's Oscars and seeing him nominated for the role I was amazed. I have watched many films, and his performance is one of the best I have ever seen. Remarkable in it's accuracy and so moving, when we find him sitting in cold bath water having been told not to move hours earlier, well it breaks your heart, and Gilbert's rage demonstrating his frustration not really at Arnie but at life, just brilliant.
  
  So this is a film that you should see, if only for Di Caprio, but it has much more than that.

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• 
  
  January 18, 2009

  her69eyes

  After first seeing "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" earlier this week, I was stunned to go online and see that some people found it depressing. A favorite critic of mine, James Berardinelli, referred to it as a grim tragedy bound to bring the audience down (obviously i'm paraphrasin...( read more)g here). He was not the only one who had a similar take. Although the life of Gilbert and his family may be bleak, and that suffocating seclusion Gilbert feels may frustrate him, the warmth of the film is unmistakable.
  
  Gilbert is young and discontent, bored by day-to-day monotony and a constant recognition of the same faces at the local ice cream parlor. When Becky arrives in town, the adventure-seeking side of him is unveiled - the want to fly from his nest and go out and see the world. But by the end of the film, i'm not sure that Gilbert necessarily would have wanted to leave. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is in many ways about duty to one's family, and the realization that it may not be as much of a burden as you think.
  
  "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" was a novel written by Peter Hedges that he adapted into his own screenplay. It's directed by renowned Scandinavian director Lasse Hallström, who would later go on to direct an Academy Award contender for Best Picture in 2001, "Chocolat" (a project also involving Johnny Depp). The film takes place in Endora, Iowa, a town with a population of just over 1,000. A large grocery store has just opened up in town, resembling a Wal-Mart, and most of the townspeople have embraced it. Most people, except Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) and his boss, who work at a long-standing small supermarket in town. They try to remain positive despite facing a loss in business, primarily due to the competition's gigantic lobster tank which has the Endora natives talking. To keep up with this theme of large corporations taking over the small town, a sidestory in the film involves Gilbert's friend, Tucker, (John C. Reilly) who is fascinated by the efficiency of a new burger chain coming to Endora.
  
  Gilbert is held back by responsibilities to his family - there's his 500 pound mother (Darlene Cates) who never leaves the couch, his mentally handicapped younger brother, Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio, in an Oscar nominated performance), and two sisters whom he also cares for. When he's not trying to balance his home and work life, he's having an affair with Mrs. Carver (Mary Steenburgen), the wife of an insurance agent in town.
  
  One day, Endora is shaken up by the arrival of a young woman, Becky (Juliette Lewis), and her grandmother (Penelope Branning). They're only meant to pass by, as they are frequent travelers, however a car problem prevents the mother and daughter from traveling further. When Gilbert is asked to assist in fixing the car, he tries to sabotage it in order to spend more time with his new love interest, Becky.
  
  There's such a charm and warmth to "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" that, despite being a fairly dark film, disguises itself as a whimsical fairy tale. While some scenes certainly are wrenching, such as those involving the memorable performance by Darlene Cates, the majority of the film is very light-hearted and endearing. There's deaths here and there, and Gilbert is completely trapped under pressure and responsibility to his family, but by the end of the film we come to think that he wouldn't have it any other way. Becky, an infrequent yet welcome distraction, is Gilbert's opposite. There's a fascination and jealousy there, but I don't know that Gilbert would ever be the kind of person to leave a brother like Arnie behind.
  
  "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is wonderfully written, and has some good performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Mary Steenburgen, and Darlene Cates. Depp is also a good lead, and this is one of his more understated performances. In the third act, the film trips over it's feet now and then with fairly familiar melodrama, but it redeems itself in it's last moments. This was a refreshing surprise, and certainly one of the more enjoyable films i've seen in quite some time.

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• 
  
  January 11, 2009

  flixsterman

  Underrated, under appreciated little jewel of a film with outstanding performances all around, especially DiCaprio.

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• 
  
  December 15, 2008

  laVenrose

  Arnie knows a secret. His big brother Gilbert is the greatest person on the planet.
  
  
  

  Rated: (PG-13)
  
  Directed by: Lasse Hallström
  
  Genres: Drama
  
  Starring: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette

  ...( read more) Lewis
  
  
  THE MOVIE OUTLINE
  
  "Gilbert Grape lives in Endora, a place where nothing much happens. The only times the police got something to do is when Gilbert's autistic brother Arnie tries to climb up on the watertower nearby. Taking care of Arnie is mostly Gilbert's task which can be pretty demanding, at least while you are working at the local grocery store. Then one day Becky and her grandmother passes through Endora getting trouble with the car. Gilbert falls in love with Becky, but gets problems when he tries to find time for his own private life."
  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  MY APPRAISAL

  
  
  Well the thing with What's Eating Gilbert Grape is I don't know for certain why I love it. This kind of family story had been told to us many times and they all failry similar. The storyline is exteremely plain and simple, yet very forgettable. Just imagine how very undistinguished the movie would be if the casts were ones who couldn't do strong and captivating performances like Depp and DiCaprio did.
  
  Johnny Depp was terrific. His performance was sincere. Though I didn't exactly recall anything that happen between him and Juliette Lewis since the story focused on what happened between Gilbert and Arnie. Besides, he and Juliette Lewis have zero chemistry. And just how sweet Gilbert treats his brother, Depp showed how Gilbert sincerely love Arnie and he'd do anything in the world to protect him.
  
  Me myself as a die hard fan of Johnny Depp couldn't believe I say this, but all eyes on the teenage DiCaprio. He was a stand out, he stole the show like he actually was standing in the spotlight. His performance as Arnie was very convincing, I was totally stunned. He portrayed Arnie Grape as a fragile kid but very cute and lovable. It's not hard for the viewers to fall in love if his character and adore the connection he and Johnny had here. To me, he outshined almost everyone in the movie and I wanna see more and more of him eversince.
  
  A simple story, but very enchanting and flowing.

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• 
  
  November 18, 2009

  entirelytoomuch

  Okay, this movie is pretty depressing, almost disturbingly so, and the ending doesn't make sense. Juliette Lewis is just the 1994 version of the quirky dream girl cliché, but she does such a great job at it that I'm going to give this movie a few stars just for that.

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• 
  
  November 16, 2009

  ythelastman89

  I can't think of a movie that captures loneliness and depression quite so well. You can't get through this movie without breaking down and falling in love with Gilbert and Arnie. They share one of the most perfectly acted relationships i've been able to see. It's such a real love...( read more) that they have for each other. What also makes it great is the flaws everyone has. They're shy and weak at times, but it only makes them all the more realistic and genuine. There's no point in a drama when the characters have nothing at stake and nothing to learn. This is mainly great in the way that the characters all act like living and individually thinking human beings.

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• 
  
  November 8, 2009

  rlbearden

  one of my all time favorite moives

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• 
  
  November 6, 2009

  countrygirl4liferasc

  this was good but johnny depp needed a new hair do

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  November 3, 2009

  stilettokillerz

  Epic! Heartwarming and brilliant performances! Depp oh depp.

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No recent reviews.

• 
  December 6, 2008

  savanas

  Gilbert Grape is sucha b0ring m0vie..
  I can't believe h0w youg Leonardo Decaprio lookz in this m0vie.
  I feel s0rry f0r the m0ther.
• 
  July 28, 2008

  munkybeans86

  This was an awesome movie, very well done
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  June 6, 2008

  thespiritofaneyeball

  U now i think it*s a funny movie it has some funny moments but i think its boring too at the same time..
  its a little sad. Great actors.even tough i dont like leonardo dicaprio i must admit he very cute as Arnie Grape in fact i used to like him before beacause of the movie the beach. the book is great! idk about the movie tough. people say to me its not good..He fersure made mey laugh here awwwwhhh:D & i love Johnny Depp! mmmmmmm so nice looking..:P:P:P
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  February 16, 2008

  Megggyy

  hey people I need some help! Can anyone send me a message if they've seen this flick? I need to know if I will like it, i enjoy foreign films usually and this isnt one =( but every once and a while i can go outta my comfort zone. should i watch it?
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  August 6, 2007

  KARENCHRISTINA

  Ilove this Movie!!!
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  June 15, 2007

  salopek2331

  I love this movie. One of my favourites ^__^
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  June 15, 2007

  FarOutBoyScout

  brillient permormence from both jonny deep and leanardo di caprio a work of art
• 
  June 14, 2007

  sexylove390

  I haven't seen this movie yet but I definitely want to cause it has Leo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp in it.
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  May 30, 2007

  cindychad39

  This movie is and was thebest. Leonardo should have receive a award for this movie!
• 
  May 23, 2007

  nanehi

  My son has this disability that Leonardo performs. It really grabs my heart and twists. I love this movie.

• Johnny Depp
• Juliette Lewis
• Kevin Tighe
• Laura Harrington
• Leonardo DiCaprio
• Mary Kate Schellhardt
• Mary Steenburgen

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