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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
38 of 38 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.
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
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.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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 20 days ago by Ghost
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 2 months ago by syra
What a movie.
This movie is truly amazing. I watched it for the 1st time last night and I was blown away. The biggest thing about this movie that blew me away was Leonardo DiCaprio's... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Fraser Mulliner
one thing lets it down
i love slow moving american films like last picture show,paris texas,badlands.where you can really get into the characters,and just about all of them are great in this film... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. R. D. King
"I want a new house, and a family."
Endura is a stagnating town where locals are drifting out of its boundaries and the dusty roads see little action. Read more
Published 10 months ago by GeekZilla
Dicaprio's best role.
Keeping It short.
Really good feel-good film, Dicaprio was amazing as a disabled kid (which he was nominated for an Oscar for) and the whole sleepiness of the town and... Read more
Really good feel-good film, Dicaprio was amazing as a disabled kid (which he was nominated for an Oscar for) and the whole sleepiness of the town and... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Chazabo
Heartwarming
I love this film - it has become one of my favourites. It tells the story of Gilbert Grape and his family. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Susan
What is eating Gibert Grape.
Typical American feel good movie about children who are loyal to their parent (mother in this case), what life was like in small town America and how you can be rewarded for being... Read more
Published 18 months ago by JHvW
make a grown man cry
Nice little film this all sweet and bitter. Good solid performances from all and Dicaprio got his portrail of autism spot on. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Doggy
WHATS Eating Gilbert Grape
Great service and I love the movie although it did come with the wrong region which on laptops can be a problem.
Published 21 months ago by Jan
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