Released on Dec. 17, 1993, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is an old movie that deserves endless recognition. Focusing on the story of a family that has an autistic boy named Arnie Grape (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his brother Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp). These two brothers also have two sisters and a mother who weighs over 500 pounds and has not left the house in years.

Ever since Arnie and Gilbert’s father died, Gilbert has been in charge of keeping Arnie out of trouble, which he is not always good at doing. Gilbert has to help support his family and essentially be the man of the house. Gilbert has quite a few ups and downs during this movie, but it keeps it interesting.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape does not just have one problem in the movie that causes the climax. This movie takes up two hours and eight minutes, and it is not boring at any point. The movie is simply about the life of a family that is struggling with relationships and money, it never shies away from the truth and gives people an open mind.

The casting is on point, Johnny Depp as always did not disappoint, but the way DiCaprio captured the character of Arnie was outstanding. He received nominations for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award, however he did not win either which is very unsettling. Without DiCaprio as Arnie and Depp as Gilbert this movie would have struggled.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape may be an old movie, but it is definitely just as good as movies released now a days.