What's Eating Gilbert Grape, 1993

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is not the kind of movie that I’d normally enjoy. It’s relatively slow, set in a small town, and not much happens. But between the directing and the acting, the movie manages to get past its sappy tendencies and become quite a touching story. The main character in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (yup, you guessed it, his name is Gilbert) has to choose between caring for his family, a mentally handicapped brother and obese mother, and spending time with an out of town girl who becomes stranded when her grandmother’s truck breaks down. Love, or family responsibilities? It’s a tough choice, but normally it’s a subject that makes for some predictable, sappy movies. The film’s strengths clearly lie in the talent involved. Johnny Depp gives a strong performance and Leonardo DiCaprio backs him up as his handicapped brother. Not that DiCaprio isn’t a talented actor, but I think he’s quite over rated. He proves here that he does have talent, even if his past few movies haven’t shown it. Depp is such a multifaceted actor he could succeed in any roll, but he really manages to bring Gilbert to life. Occasionally the score goes a little over board, and parts of the film are slightly predictable. But in the end, it’s a heartwarming story that’s well crafted.

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