Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
Based on the novel by Peter Hedges (who adapted his own book) and directed by Lasse Hallström, What's Eating Gilbert Grape is the funny, moody tale of young Gilbert (Johnny Depp), who lives at home in a small town with his 500-pound Momma (beautifully played by non-professional Darlene Cates), his mentally retarded younger brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio, utterly convincing), and his sisters. Not a lot happens--Arnie keeps climbing a water tower and getting stuck; Gilbert is involved with a married woman (Mary Steenburgen), then meets a nice new girl in town who's closer to his age (Juliette Lewis). And that's exactly what makes this movie so much more than your run-of-the-mill Hollywood product: it's not about some mechanical, formulaic plot; it's about these characters, and it allows you to spend some time with them and get to know them. Depp proved yet again that he's one of the most interesting, unpredictable, and risk-taking actors in American movies; while a pre-Titanic DiCaprio deservedly received an Oscar nomination. --Jim Emerson
Product Description
Quirky observational comedy drama from Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom ('My Life As A Dog'). Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) leads a dull life in desolate backwater, Endora, Iowa, looking after his overweight mother and his mentally unstable brother (Leonardo DiCaprio). When a mysterious girl moves to town with her grandparents, Gilbert's life begins to change.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This has got to be one of the best films I have ever watched,...and felt. Gilbert (Johnny Depp) is almost totally despairing taking responsibllity for his 'loser' family in a town where little seems to happen. He is trapped and seems to want better, but cannot dump the family which includes his seriously obese mother and his brain damaged younger brother, also brilliantly played by a young Leonardo DiCaprio.
The film is seriously poignant but feelgood, containing lots of humour, some of which is a little blackish although very much in context.
Although Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio have become famous for their later roles this film displays for me their absolute brilliance.
Get it, watch it, make your own mind up, but I hope you enjoy this masterpiece.
The film is seriously poignant but feelgood, containing lots of humour, some of which is a little blackish although very much in context.
Although Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio have become famous for their later roles this film displays for me their absolute brilliance.
Get it, watch it, make your own mind up, but I hope you enjoy this masterpiece.
39 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By elbarad
Format:DVD
When I first met my husband, ten years ago he told me about this film, and said how good he thought it was and how DiCaprio's performance as an autistic boy was spectacular. Somehow we never got around to watching it, until last night.
It was an amazingly moving film. The character development and story were very genuine and the acting, particularly by Di Caprio, was of the highest quality. We found the story all the more poignant as my husband and I now have an autistic child of our own.
I hear that Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for an oscar for his part in this film. I only find it a sin that he didn't win. At no point during the viewing of this film do you cease believing that he is indeed a boy with autism. And we know what we're talking about here. I really don't know how he managed to pull it off. I also think that he should be congratulated for having taken the role at all, as it was a brave choice for a teenage actor.
As the story unfolds you ache for the character of Gilbert. For the love that he gives Arnie, for the life that he is stuck with and the way that he soldiers on without complaint. It illustrates humanity at its best.
This film is not fast-paced. There are no car chases, no fights, no nudity. So I'm sure there will be some people who find it very boring. I think this film is magnificent, well written, well directed and spectacularly acted.
All in all, well worth viewing.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Sue Lewendon
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a truly magnificent piece of cinema.
From the locations to the wonderful characters, this is a film that will blow you away.
Johnny Depp is fantastic as Gilbert, a hard working average guy who is always looking out for everyone else but himself.He is so loveable in this role as you feel exactly what he's going through with his disfunctional family.
But as much as I am a Depp fan, I have to give huge credit to Leonardo Dicaprio. His performance is outstanding as Arnie, Gilbert's mentally ill younger brother.Just the scene where he climbs the gas tank gets you laughing out loud.
("Match in the gas tank....Boom,Boom!")
This is an absolutely beautiful film and you will want to watch it again and again.
From the locations to the wonderful characters, this is a film that will blow you away.
Johnny Depp is fantastic as Gilbert, a hard working average guy who is always looking out for everyone else but himself.He is so loveable in this role as you feel exactly what he's going through with his disfunctional family.
But as much as I am a Depp fan, I have to give huge credit to Leonardo Dicaprio. His performance is outstanding as Arnie, Gilbert's mentally ill younger brother.Just the scene where he climbs the gas tank gets you laughing out loud.
("Match in the gas tank....Boom,Boom!")
This is an absolutely beautiful film and you will want to watch it again and again.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 335 reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
decaprios best ever acting
had this film before but gave a loan of it to a freind, never saw it again. just such a brilliant story and film, and decaprio acted his part to a tee. Read more
Published 2 months ago by marmite
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab
Arrived promptly in perfect condition. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie and will definitely be watching it again. Made me very emotional
Published 3 months ago by Marie O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Missed this film first time round. Fantastic insight into family life dealing with autism and the effects on all the family. Read more
Published 3 months ago by jude
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great film
We thoroughly enjoyed watching this film as a family over Christmas, weepy but good and two of my favouritet male actors as well.
Published 4 months ago by Suep52
4.0 out of 5 stars
Absorbing, thought provoking and brilliant acting!
I've heard about this film on and off, but never thought I'd like it. We only watched it as it was a free disc in the Mail or some paper ages ago, and my other half found it... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Endlessly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good
It was as described and i would recommend people who are into this product and would like some thing like this.
Published 4 months ago by Katiecoo
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just ok
Put this film on and recalled seeing it before some time ago, needless to say I hadn't watched it since and was not therefore on my "must see again" film list, nevertheless have... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Breadfan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderful movie
This movie is one of my favourite movies, with excellent actors. A very touching and very deep story about accepting the others and their differences. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Froggie
4.0 out of 5 stars
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Filmed the same year as 'Arizona Dream' and 'Benny & Joon' (1993), 'What's Eating Gilbert Grape' is quality Depp. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Ghost
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
Cried my eyes out at this movie. So sad but also very inspirational. There is always someone worse off and it puts petty issues into perspective. Great film. Read more
Published 14 months ago by syra
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
