Conference bookie::movies

623.0. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" by NETRIX::michaud (Edward Scissorhand's) Mon Aug 29 1994 00:31

	This one stars Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, Darlene Cates (as
	Momma), Leonardo DiCaprio, and Mary Steenburgen.  It was
	directed by Lasse Hallstrom who also had directed "My Life As
	A Dog".

	I was a little disappointed with this film after having heard
	all the rave reviews, especially S&E who gave it "two thumbs up,
	way up", and the Best Supporting Actor nomination for Leonardo
	DiCaprio.

	Gilbert works for a small grocery store in a small town.  His
	soon to be 18-year old brother suffers from mental retardation
	and keeps climbing the local water tower.  And Gilbert's mother
	who used to be an attractive woman hasn't left the house for
	seven years and has put on about 900 pounds (my guess) since
	her husband left her.

	Gilbert and his brother's funnist annual activity is watching
	the year's first caravan of campers pass through the town.
	This year however one camper breaks down and is stuck in the
	town for a week waiting for a part.  Becky (Lewis) is in this
	camper is romance brews and changes Gilbert's life forever ....

	DiCaprio certainly deserved the nomination for this film however!
	He did a very convincing job of playing a mentally handicapped
	person.  The rest of the movie however was a little slow ...

    Geez,
    
    I thought DiCaprio was really mentally retarded!  He really did play
    this role convincing.  I never heard of him before this role.  I
    liked the movie but I did think it was a little slow.
    
    Nancy

    He was also fantastic in This Boy's Life with DeNiro and Barkin. 

    Lisa