What's Eating Gilbert Grape
(1993)
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Lasse Hallstrom directs this beautifully photographed, critically acclaimed drama about small-town life and the contraints that a young man's family responsibilities put on his independence. The screenplay is written by Peter Hedges who also wrote the novel of the same name. |
Johnny Depp has spent most of his working life trying to avoid the sort of Hollywood career his pretty boy looks would seem to demand, and this gentle oddity is a case in point. Depp takes the title role, playing the sensitive but level-headed teenager who has his hands full coping with an enormously obese mother (Darlene Cates), who won't leave the house, and a mentally disabled younger brother (Leonardo DiCaprio). The latter steals the show, but the entire cast which also includes Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen and Crispin Glover turns in winning performances. Director Lasse Hallström, who made his name with My Life as a Dog, lets sentiment creep in, but still demonstrates a sharp outsider's eye for the quirkiness of Americana.