Did you know that Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp were in a movie together? Or that Johnny Depp used to have long, ginger locks? Or that John C. Reilly (from “Stepbrothers”) wasn’t always funny? I didn’t, but all these things are true in Lasse Hallström’s heart–wrenching movie about brotherhood and love.
“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” is a goofy but charming tale of Gilbert (Depp), his mentally disabled 18–year–old brother, Arnie (DiCaprio), who wasn’t supposed to make it to puberty, their two mundane sisters and their extremely obese mother, whose own self–consciousness prevents her from leaving the house. Gilbert is forced to take care of all of them, and his life seems to be in a hopeless spiral of monotony.
That is until one day a beautiful girl, Becky, (whose hair is significantly shorter than Gilbert’s, mind you) gets stuck in their town during a cross–country trip. Both Gilbert and Arnie become infatuated with her, but it is only when Gilbert falls in love with her that he starts to resent his family, wanting to leave but knowing that he can’t.
“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” is the perfect movie if you just want to feel a little over–emotional for awhile. It’s perfect if you love romance, love Johnny Depp, want to feel good or if you just want to see pre–"Titanic," 18–year–old Leo.
