Monday, February 18, 2013

What's Eating Gilbert Grape Review











What's Eating Gilbert Grape


Release Date: 23rd June 1994 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures


Genre: Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 113 minutes


Budget: $11,000,000

Box Office Gross: $10,032,765 (USA)


Plot Summary
Gilbert Grape is an average young man living in the small town of Endora who gets overburdened by looking after his mentally disabled brother Arnie and his morbidly obese mother following his father's death. However, when he catches the peek of a young female, his dull routine life begins to change for the better.


Cast
Johnny Depp - Gilbert Grape
Leonardo DiCaprio - Arnie Grape
Juliette Lewis - Becky
Mary Steenburgen - Betty Carver
Darlene Cates - Bonnie Grape
Laura Harrington - Amy Grape
Mary Kate Schellhardt - Ellen Grape
Kevin Tighe - Ken Carver
John C. Reilly - Tucker Van Dyke
Crispin Glover - Bobby McBurney
Penelope Branning - Becky's Grandma
Tim Green - Mr. Lamson
Susan Loughran - Mrs. Lamson
Robert B. Hedges - Minister
Mark Jordan - Todd Carver
Cameron Finley - Doug Carver
Brady Coleman - Sheriff Jerry Farrel
Tim Simek - Deputy
Nicholas Stojanovich - Boy #1
Libby Villari - Waitress
Kay Bower - Police Secretary
Joe Stevens - Burger Barn Manager
Mona Lee Fultz - Bakery Worker
George Haynes - Dave
Daniel Gullahorn - Boy #2
David H. Kramer (Voice)

Crew
Executive Producer/Director -
Lasse Hallström
Based on the Novel "What's Eating
Gilbert Grape?"/Screenplay - Peter Hedges
Executive Producer - Alan C. Blomquist
Producers - Meir Teper,
Bertil Ohlsson and David Matalon
Production Designer - Bernt Capra
Art Director - John Myhre
Set Decorators - Gretchen Rau and
Jarrell Jay Knowles (Uncredited)
Costume Designer - Renee Ehrlich Kalfus
Director of Photography - Sven Nykvist
"B" Camera Operators - Chris Hayes
and Anastas N. Michos
First Assistant Photographer - Jeff Cronenweth
First Assistant Director - David B. Householter
Stunt Coordinator - Rusty McClennon
Special Effects Coordinator - Howard Jensen
Editor - Andrew Mondshein
Supervising Sound Editor - Michael Kirchberger
Sound Mixer - David Brownlow
Re-Recording Mixer - Lee Dichter
Foley Engineer - George A. Lara
Foley Mixer - Dominick Tavella
Music - Alan Parker and Björn Isfält


Awards

1994 Academy Awards
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Leonard DiCaprio (Nominated)


Review
I was surprised to discover this movie in the last year of 2012. I have only seen the American Dad parody with squirrels. WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE is a rather unique and fascinating drama with a warm ambience. In reflecting on the cast and characters, I begin with Arnie Grape, who has an intellectual disability, which I presume is severe autism. At first, this character seemed unlikeable because he is very troublesome, but I grew to like him as he proves to be quite a handful for primary carer Gilbert. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio provides an extraordinary acting performance for Arnie. It was a breakthrough role that made him a star. And last, there is Johnny Depp, who does a great job as the titular character. I feel bad for Gilbert as he is overwhelmed with so much pressure that he is busy looking after his mother, who suffers from obesity and his brother Arnie.

WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE is a fabulous film that I enjoyed. I strongly recommend everyone to see this classic that they have heard.

Star rating: (5/5) Best Movie Ever

3 comments:

  1. hello film guru lad
    I seen this movie sometime ago and agree with you it makes you feel for gilbert and what an amazing effort Leonardo put in.

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  2. Hi FGL,

    Loved this movie (read book first - also loved). Great acting especially Leonardo DiCaprio. Not all that fussed on Johnny Depp but liked him in this.

    ReplyDelete