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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.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By F. Mckay
Format:VHS Tape
This remarkable understated film is one of my favorites of all time. It tells the story of a midwestern guy (Depp) coping with his menial, boring and often challenging day to day existence. Leonardo di Caprio shows here that he's capable of so much more than we get to see of him these days. The performances of every major character in this film is great, from Gilberts vastly overweight mother to the transient character played by Juliete Lewis, however it's easy to see in this film why Johnny Depp has become such a huge star, not just because of his looks but a truly memorable performance.
The film tackles issues of prejudice and adversity with delicacy and a wry touch. It's beautifully filmed and completely uncontrived, a truly rare film which I would and do recommend to anyone that listens!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Philoctetes
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Here's one that can withstand repeated viewing. Depp, now famous for playing eccentric characters, stars as a handsome ordinary joe in a dead end town, lumbered with an impossible family and no future. Juliette Lewis, for once not playing dopey white trash, is the ray of light that illuminates Gilbert's empty existence, inviting him to take action.
Depp and Lewis are both very good, as is Mary Steenburgen as Gilbert's married lover, but this movie really belongs to Di Caprio as Gilbert's retarded brother, Arnie. His performance is so convincing, so moving, that if he weren't a superstar actor you'd be convinced he was genuinely handicapped. All are convincingly natural in this offbeat little gem, which is funny and sad in equal measure.
Depp and Lewis are both very good, as is Mary Steenburgen as Gilbert's married lover, but this movie really belongs to Di Caprio as Gilbert's retarded brother, Arnie. His performance is so convincing, so moving, that if he weren't a superstar actor you'd be convinced he was genuinely handicapped. All are convincingly natural in this offbeat little gem, which is funny and sad in equal measure.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Nicholas Casley
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
What's eating Gilbert Grape? Ennui, that's what's eating him up. He is a man whose patience is running out. And one night, it does.
I'm a big fan of Lasse Hallstrom's movies. And this is one of his signature feel-good movies, laced with the potential for heart-breaking tragedy in smalltownsville. But sometimes I felt like Gilbert Grape himself in that two hours of smalltownsville was too much to take. The storyline is not free of problems, but with Hallstrom plot is not necessarily the main driver; rather, what's important are events that have the capacity to change someone's outlook, someone's life in a positive way.
But, we all know who is the real star of this movie and it's not the guy whose name heads the cast list. No, Depp gives here a competent performance as the eponymous Gilbert, but it's the young Leonardo DiCaprio as his younger brother who steals the show in a brilliant performance worthy of his Oscar nomination. A career-best performance? Let's hope not, but it'll take some beating.
Alas, on my disc, there are no extras.
I'm a big fan of Lasse Hallstrom's movies. And this is one of his signature feel-good movies, laced with the potential for heart-breaking tragedy in smalltownsville. But sometimes I felt like Gilbert Grape himself in that two hours of smalltownsville was too much to take. The storyline is not free of problems, but with Hallstrom plot is not necessarily the main driver; rather, what's important are events that have the capacity to change someone's outlook, someone's life in a positive way.
But, we all know who is the real star of this movie and it's not the guy whose name heads the cast list. No, Depp gives here a competent performance as the eponymous Gilbert, but it's the young Leonardo DiCaprio as his younger brother who steals the show in a brilliant performance worthy of his Oscar nomination. A career-best performance? Let's hope not, but it'll take some beating.
Alas, on my disc, there are no extras.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a great film
DVD just as described, good condition and a fast delivery as usual from this seller. A great film which is underrated by some but when you view it you can see the potential of... Read more
Published 18 days ago by A. Radcliffe
5.0 out of 5 stars
What's eating Gilbert Grape dvd
Heard that this was a great film, looked on line and ordered one. It arrived within a few days and was as described, new and wrapped.
Published 18 days ago by Mrs. Christine Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars
At his best
Can Johnny and Leo ever go wrong? Leonardo showing he's just always been at his best. Sad but amazing film, gets me every time!
Published 18 days ago by Ruth Leslie
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 3 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 4 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 4 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 5 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 5 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 5 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 7 months ago by Breadfan
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