






|
 |
What's Eating Gilbert
Grape? (1993)
    
 |
Directed
by:
Lasse
Hallström |
COUNTRY
USA |
GENRE
Drama/Comedy |
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Hva er
det med Gilbert Grape? |
RUNNING
TIME
118 minutes |
|
Produced by:
Meir
Teper
Bertil Ohlsson
David Matalon |
Written by
(based on his own novel):
Peter Hedges |
Review
Here is a slice of small-town
Americana from the late 20th century, imbued with Lasse Hallström's
particular variety of earnestness and warmth. The film stars Johnny Depp
as a 20-something son and brother who does his best to hold his
tumultuous family together, including a morbidly obese mother, a
rebellious teenage sister, and last but not least, his mentally disabled
brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio), who is about to turn 18. The 1990s
was a strong decade for the traditional, pretenseless drama, and
What's Eating Gilbert Grape? has that wonderful ability of neither
being self-deprecating nor self-absorbed. With its modest scope and eye
for the ostensible trivialities of life, it presents its characters'
trials and tribulations with unassuming authenticity. When the film is
predictable, it's only because life itself tends to be rather
predictable, and because Peter Hedges' story is less about plotting than
about people. What elevates Gilbert Grape to near perfection are
the remarkable performances – not least the incredibly strong, intimate
turns by Depp in the lead and Darlene Cates as the mother. Still, it's
Leonardo DiCaprio, in only his second major role, after
This Boy's Life
earlier the same year, who steals the show with his utter immersion and
complete lack of affectation as Arnie. It might just be the most
accomplished portrayal of mental disability in film history.
Re-reviewed:
Copyright © 16.06.2025 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang
Original review: Copyright © 06.11.1996
Fredrik Gunerius Fevang |
|
|
|