Reviews & Ratings for
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

Leonardo DI Caprio's Debut movie What's eating Gilbert Grape is a simple movie which has many stories in it. Based in the sleepy town of Midwestern the movie talks about Gilbert (Johnny Depp) and his family. Being the eldest bread owner of his family Gilbert had to look after his autistic brother Arnie and his obese mother Bonnie. The plot twist comes when Becky and her grandmother comes to town and Gilbert falls in love with Becky which stands to become an obstacle for him because of his responsibilities. The movie explores various aspects of human emotions. Over all the movie is a light watch and a good family drama.

In the flat and featureless town of Iowa, resides a family where the internal tensions lie suppressed as a dormant volcano,where lava might spew out if the sole breadwinner,Gilbert(Depp) loses his cool. Gilbert's family includes a morbidly-obese Momma,a retarded brother Arnie(Di Caprio) and two sisters who undertakes household duties and constantly fight with each other. With a dead father, depressed mother and retarded brother,Arnie's life is burdened with responsibilities which has made him an impassive,indifferent person. When the funky and effervescent Becky(Lewis) comes to town and takes some burden off Arnie by motivating him to think for his own good as well. This somewhat meddles with Arnie's earlier priorities,creates friction in family.
Depp is stunning with his soulful performance and Lewis as the outsider who is amused at the life in Endora and the beliefs of Arnie,is pretty convincing. She has a flirtatious grin in her eyes which matches seamlessly with her character. But the major surprise comes from Di Caprio's performance which is sure to make jaws drop.