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Credits

With: Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio
B+
By Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Ty Burr is a writer at large for EW and is no relation to Raymond or Aaron

This lazy Iowa shaggy-Depp story plays more cozily on the home screen; in fact, What's Eating Gilbert Grape is like having the family across the street over for Doritos and beer. True, the family across the street may not have a retarded son who likes to climb water towers (Leonardo DiCaprio, in a sweetly detailed, Oscar-nominated performance) or a 500-pound mom who never leaves the house (the astounding Darlene Cates). As a footloose son held fast by duty, Johnny Depp's the calm center here, exuding a withdrawn charisma as the movie's many bright flakes dance around him. B


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Posted Jul 29, 1994
 

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