WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?

Stars: Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Leonardo DiCaprio, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Darlene Cates. Written by Peter Hedges. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom. Rated PG-13 for adult themes, profanity.

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" sounds more interesting than just plain old "What's Bothering Gilbert". This, I imagine, is the sole purpose for the clever title of a film in which Grape is merely a surname. The film is a drama about trials of a family living in a small town, not completely dissimilar in content to "The Last Picture Show".

Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) lives in the backwater town of Endora with his mentally-disabled brother Arnie (Oscar-nominated Leonardo DiCaprio), his teenage sisters Ellen and Laura, and his 500 pound, nearly immobile mother (Darlene Cates). Right now Gilbert's life revolves around working at a little mom-and-pop grocery store, hanging out with friends like future Burger Barn employee Tucker Van Dyke (John C. Reilly) and undertaker's son Bobby McBurney (Crispin Glover), having a fling with an unhappy housewife (Mary Steenburgen), and being the primary caretaker of Arnie. Things in Endora don't change often or much, and just the appearance of a new girl in town upsets the balance of his life.

Becky (Juliette Lewis), who is travelling around the country with her grandmother, has a prolonged stopover in Endora when their trailer breaks down. She and Gilbert hit it off almost immediately. Unfortunately, this distracts him from his duties as, more than once, Arnie saunters off to scale the local water tower. Arnie, who is eagerly awaiting his the party accompanying his 18th birthday has already surpassed the life expectancy for someone in his condition and Momma would prefer that his life wouldn't be cut off any shorter due to a dangerous stunt.

Towards the end of the film things actually start to happen. People die, people leave, and there is finally a feeling of change in the air. Director Lasse Hallstrom ("My Life as a Dog") has put together a fine ensemble cast with Leonardo DiCaprio and newcomer Darlene Cates as standouts. Heartthrob Johnny Depp likewise does an admirable job playing the film's main character and narrator.

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" isn't your typical, high- gloss Hollywood drama. It's a quieter and more personal film like "Fried Green Tomatoes". In that regard, its entertainment value sneaks up on you rather than hitting you bluntly on the head.


Review Menu | Main Menu