Fronted by a cast of popular Generation Xers, the 1993 drama “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” presents itself as a time capsule for the 90s as well as a perfect vision of the plights and perils of life in a small rural town. Setting the cast aside for the moment, the picturesque beauty of Swedish cinematographer Sven Nykvist, is unparalleled in its excellence. Endora, Iowa – The fictitious location of the story – is brought to the forefront in both its dearth and mystique. From the decrepit buildings along the lackluster Main Street, to the breathtaking panoramas of the Midwestern sunset, we know right away what kind of a place this is, real or not. As the opening narration advises, “describing Endora is like dancing to no music. It’s a town where nothing much ever happens, and nothing much ever will.”
The titular Gilbert Grape is played by Johnny Depp, and the performance may very well be the actor’s best. Known for his cartoonish Jack Sparrow in “The Pirates of the Caribbean” series, here Depp gets to flex his acting muscle in the role of a young man growing up in a small and desperate town. With a father absent long ago, and a mother (Darlene Cates) who suffers from morbid obesity, the weight of running the Grape house – including the constant care of his mentally impaired younger brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio in his big screen breakout) was thrust onto Gilbert by no choice of his own.
Gilbert Grape has a complicated life, and Johnny Depp is so perfect in the role there’s no way anyone watching won’t be unashamedly rooting for him to succeed. The dynamic between Gilbert and Arnie is the main driving force for the story, along with caring for his bedridden mother and two sisters. The opening scene depicting the brothers waiting in anticipation for a motorcade of RV’s clues us in on two important things; Gilbert loves his brother Arnie, and there is very little going on in Endora.
Leonardo DiCaprio would receive an Academy Award nomination for his performance, and like Depp, is stellar in the film. He does such a great job it’s impossible to picture him just four years later standing on the bow of the Titanic. DiCaprio and Depp form a natural bond as the siblings, and the love between them is genuine and heartfelt throughout the movie.
Completing the 1990s cast are Mary Steenburgen as an adulterous cougar who has her sights set on Gilbert, and Juliette Lewis who plays Becky, a young girl travelling with her grandmother who gets stranded in Endora when their RV breaks down. The relationship between the Depp and Lewis characters is highly emotional and a perfect blend for the story. Becky connects with Gilbert on a personal level, and the scenes they share together are truly fun to watch.
“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” has an integral focus on the plight of rural America, and it’s something that’s just as true today as it was in the early 90s. Gilbert works for a small family owned grocery market that’s rapidly losing business in the wake of a new supercenter nearby. The entire town gets excited for the arrival of a new franchise burger joint. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone for good, and for bad. Gilbert’s friends (John C. Reilly and Crispin Glover) are just like every other character in Endora – they either can’t leave, or they choose not to.
This is a film that holds up, nearly three decades after its release. It’s an amazing story brought to life by super performances, in a dramatic fashion that’s at times light, and at times charged heavy with emotion. “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” may quickly become one of your new favorite films.
