What's Eating Gilbert Grape (Special Collector's Edition)
Actor(s):
Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Darlene Cates
Director(s):
Lasse Hallström
Label: Paramount
Publisher(s):
Paramount
Studio: Paramount
Manufacturer: Paramount
Binding: DVD
Brand: Paramount
MPN: PARD042124D
Format(s): Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $9.99
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Editorial Reviews
Product description
Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) 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 (Leonardo DiCaprio) 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 (Juliette Lewis) 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.
Amazon.com
This is the movie that Leonardo DiCaprio received an Oscar nomination for, five years before Titanic. And, in fact, this is the movie that should have made him a star, he's so good in it. Based on the novel by Peter Hedges (who adapted his own book) and directed by Lasse Hallström (My Life as a Dog), this is the funny, moody tale of a young man named Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) who lives at home in a small town with his 500-pound Momma (beautifully played by nonpro Darlene Cates), his mentally retarded younger brother Arnie (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 may have started out as a TV teen idol on 21 Jump Street, but his feature film choices since then--in such wonderfully offbeat and diverse movies as Cry-Baby, Edward Scissorhands, Benny & Joon, Donnie Brasco--have made him one of the most interesting, unpredictable, and risk-taking young actors in American movies. --Jim Emerson
Customer Reviews
Sour Grapes
Story was long and confusing. Gilbert Grape played by Johnny Depp was moody and depressing. He seemed to be quite confused and misguided and one had to assume what he was thinking most of the time. Leonardo DiCapprio's acting was the saving grace for this movie. He had evidently studied his role of the handicapped brother and was very realistic. Would not recommend this unless you have nothing else to do on a rainy afternoon.
Leo was nominated for Oscar in spite of...
Leo Di Caprio went full retard in this one. But he did not win the Oscar. That goes to show: never go full retard.
Great movie
Leonardo Dicaprio's performance as an autistic teenager was absolutely superb. Johnny Depp's performance as a quiet, depressed and angst-ridden older brother was good as well, although he's more fun to look at than anything.:) The movie is very moving, and unlike anything I've seen. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to people of all ages.
What is Eating Mr. Grape ??
I recently saw an episode of the Fox cartoon "American Dad!" that has a parody of WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE using squirrels. It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Well, so I felt at the time. That's what brought to my attention this great movie that I enjoyed all those years ago back in the 90s and several times since. A memory I have from back then is while hanging out telling a friend "his mom is eating him" and my friend just looking at me and his eyes widening like he just heard something profound. Makes me laugh just thinking about it now. Grape's morbidly obese mom is a problem along with his retarded brother Arnie that he has to look after. And it's that small town life isn't it? He wants to go. Leonardo Dicaprio is incredible -I mean I'm talking 100% convincing. I remember people saying they thought the person playing Arnie was actually mentally retarded. Needless to say this was before TITANIC. I always thought Dicaprio deserved an Oscar and just now read he was nominated. Leonardo Dicaprio will never top this performance. Genius actor Johnny Depp, great as always. Just another notch on his belt. Juliette Lewis is good as romantic interest Becky. Everyone did a fine job. Gilbert's mom is played by nonactor real life obese person Darlene Cates. It's one of my favorite movies when I think about it. Highly recommended!
OFFBEAT AND ORIGINAL!
Here's a film that didn't do well in theaters, but is a fine example of good filmmaking. This offbeat story is filled with colorful characters and many great performances. Johnny Depp in a complex role delivers a subtle performance, Dicaprio is equally as good as his retarded younger brother and Juliette Lewis is wonderful as a free spirited traveler who enters their lives. The DVD has a very good transfer and a few interesting extras including commentary, making of etc.
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