Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood which achieved fame years ago are as celebrated as Leonardo DiCaprio. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, DiCaprio has proven to be a celebrated icon. Whether it’s destructive lovers, departed cops or Wall Street stockbrokers, DiCaprio has played countless strong characters. Arguably, DiCaprio’s strength as an actor has often been powerful commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has poured both heart and soul into every role. Through his abilities to portray strong characters that are compelling, DiCaprio has created a legacy which is lasting. An actor with a strong commitment toward his craft, DiCaprio has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout a lasting career, DiCaprio has made several memorable movies that are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a massive fan of DiCaprio and adore all the films that he has made in his career. However, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is absolutely my favourite. Released in 1993, Lasse Halstrom’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a book about brotherhood. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engrossing storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about siblings. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Leonardo DiCaprio, who embodies a young child with a disability causing his family sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about disabilities, it tackles relatable themes everyone would relate to. A riveting masterpiece about disability, there are many reasons why “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is worth watching.
Set within a small town, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” tells the story of a young man carrying responsibilities. Johnny Depp portrays Gilbert Grape, a young man struggling to care for his dysfunctional family. Gilbert has always had a lot on his plate including the responsibilities of taking care for his mentally impaired younger brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Arnie is an Autistic kid that has always had a bad habit of getting into trouble in a way which worries his family. Gilbert feels frustration taking care of a mentally impaired brother that behaves badly. However, Gilbert’s life changes when he falls in love on a romantic relationship which causes disaster. Faced with a serious dilemma, Gilbert is forced to question his place in a town which faced trauma. As all odds are stacked against his favour, Gilbert questions if he can truly care for his brother.
Lasse Hallstrom is a newcomer towards stories of disabilities. Before he had directed “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”, Hallstrom hadn’t made a film about mental disabilities before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a celebrated book about dysfunctional family but he pulled it off expertly. Using stunning cinematography, Hallstrom captures a young man struggling to care for his dysfunctional family. Inspired with Robert Mulligan’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the filmmaker effectively uses handheld camera to capture the lives of dysfunctional families that face adversity. For instance, handheld camera enhances the misbehaviour scene. During this unforgettable scene, Gilbert faces stress when he discovers his brother causing trouble in the neighbourhood. Through captivating handheld camerawork, Hallstrom constructs a portrait of disability that is compelling. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in films. As James Cameron’s “Titanic” proved, handheld camera enhances classic disaster films. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through stunning visuals, Hallstrom captures tension that dysfunctional families are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Hallstrom uses captivating production design to capture lives of families that decline. Throughout the movie, Gilbert’s home plays a role in showcasing his identity. For instance, the production elevates the family argument scene. During this intense scene, Gilbert has a tense argument with Arnie over lunch which causes family tension. Using powerful production, Hallstrom honours a book about families that face tension. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Bjorn Isfalt’s music is key towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the painful burden that dysfunctional families bear. Through powerful production, Hallstrom conveys dysfunctional families that experience tension.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is a film about dysfunctional families which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses sequences of silence to capture broken bonds between brothers. Throughout the film, Gilbert shares a broken bond with Arnie demonstrated by sequences of silence. For instance, silence enhances the hitting scene. During this intense scene, Gilbert has a tense fight with Arnie that entails physical hitting. Through sequences of silence, Hallstrom crafts a portrait of brothers that audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s “The Revenant” illustrated, silence enhances movies about survival. Sam Mendes’ “Revolutionary Road” suggested that silence elevates films about broken marriages. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through an exceptional screenplay, Hallstrom captures broken families which face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Leonardo DiCaprio gives one of his greatest performances as Arnie Grape. DiCaprio first earned appreciation playing doomed lovers in historical epics. With “What’s “Eating Gilbert Grape”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a young man that struggles to care about a dysfunctional family, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, heartfelt and emotional in his most memorable role. DiCaprio has often excelled at portraying emotional men under pressures, and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” showcases his strengths as an actor. With captivating expressions, he captures the ambition, grief and mischievous nature of a kid with Autism. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most commemorated actors currently working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for DiCaprio, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of praise. Johnny Depp is superb, capturing the strong personality of a man that struggles to care for his dysfunctional family. Juliette Lewis is fantastic, bringing charisma to a romantic woman whose that has big goals to accomplish. Lastly, John C. Reilly is worthy of appreciation. As a small town thief, he brings authority to the movie.
Finally, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing broken families that seek an escape. Unlike most movies about dysfunctional families, it tackles strong themes that everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes such as identity, mental health and family that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the famous book to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about bonds between brothers that would resonate among everyone. Therefore, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is one of those rare commemorated films about broken families everyone would adore.
Fans of Leonardo DiCaprio would absolutely enjoy “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” and so would movie-goers that seek heartwarming entertainment. A captivating coming of age drama, it honours an actor with charisma.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about young men burdened with heavy responsibility seeking to care for a dysfunctional family, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies audiences love dearly.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 