What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is almost like Rain Man meets The Fighter except completely different of course. Maybe a little bit of Shameless tossed in there. A young, handsome Johnny Depp stars as the titular character, and front and center of the story is his unique bond with his special needs younger brother, Arnie, played by a teenage Leonardo DiCaprio. Gilbert’s father is dead and his mother is too depressed to look after the family, so the responsibility rests on his shoulders, not unlike Fiona Gallagher. Somewhat similar to Fiona, and to Micky Ward, Gilbert is torn between the escape symbolized by a young female character played by Juliette Lewis and the responsibilities for him at home.
The relationship between the Depp and DiCaprio characters is one of the most touching bond between brothers that I’ve probably ever witnessed on screen (although now that I think about it, Shameless actually has a lot of beautiful little sibling moments). Gilbert doesn’t care for Arnie out of obligation as much as love and devotion. But the movie doesn’t gloss over the inevitable frustrations and outbursts that can arise when it comes to looking after a younger brother, particular one with the mental challenges and needs that Arnie has. Though there are temptations to pack up and move away, there’s really no question about Gilbert leaving Arnie behind.
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