What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is one of my favorite movies. It has everything going for it. The acting is phenomenal, all the actors were great the best of which being Leonardo DiCaprio, it is one of the best acting performances I've ever seen and is pretty underrated seeing as he didn't even win the Oscar. It is a very realistic movie about a family that is all types of messed up. The mom is obese and the younger brother is special Ed. The little sister is a brat but not to the point were it makes you too angry. The movie takes its time and the only real plot is that it's Arnie's (the special Ed brother played by Leonardo DiCaprio.) 18th birthday coming up and because the doctor said we wouldn't live past 10 it's a big deal. While all this happens we see these characters develop. We see how much of a loving and great brother Gilbert (Johnny Depp) is. We also see that despite how fat and seemingly lazy Bonnie Grape (Darlene Cates) is a mother that would do almost anything for Arnie. By the time she dies at the end is genuinely sad. Gilbert is an extremely reliable character that though has messed up wants his brother to be happy.

Yes, I know some of these people will review about the expected occurrences that went on in this film. But, I wonder if momma committed suicide to purposely let her children live their lives without entrapments such as the obligation to help her. Sure, they were generous and humble in their own ways. Which is why I like this film. What's Eating Gilbert Grape is one of a kind. Definitely not something you will experience for every film that is out there.

I've seen this movie many times and it always touches my heart. It does have slow parts in it but the movie overall is amazing. The film tells the story of the Grape family including the youngest member Arnie who is played by Leonardo DiCaprio. Arnie is mentally disabled. They live in a rural town where the population is small and there isn't much to do for people. Gilbert played by Johnny Depp looks after Gilbert because their sisters must look after their morbidly obese Mother. The film shows how Gilbert is torn between his responsibilities for Arnie and his desire to be a free guy and be in a relationship with Becky. Becky passes through town and her and Gilbert are drawn to each other. Johnny Depp is really good at playing the part of Gilbert and Leonardo does amazing acting as a mentally disabled boy. Even down to the mannerisms and speech. To me the part at the end when they burn the house with 'Momma' inside is a way of giving them all freedom. I think their Mom and the house tied them down for so long. Very emotional film but memorable.

Trying to find a way to describe the great moments I spent watching this "True" story of humanity, love and family. 118 minutes of learning how to change the destiny, how to create your own END, how to get your life back by taking the right decision. Say "thank you" Gilbert ! Say thank you for your simple, pure, quite and outstanding performance which is a value added to every movie you join, "where's Arnie?" Arnie is in the heart of everyone watched this movie, the unique acting of "Talented" DiCaprio for Arnie, changes the traditional idea for being disabled in a movie. After watching this movie you will believe that this UNOSCARED movie deserve to have a special award for every scene.