story

"Describing Endora is like dancing to no music. It's a town where nothing much ever happens - and nothing much ever will." - that's how Gilbert Grape introduces us to life in little Endora.

However, we realize soon that Gilbert's own life is anything but boring, he literally has his hands full with taking care of his retarded brother Arnie, who - despite medical prognoses - is about to reach his eighteenth birthday, his whale-like mother who hasn't left the house in 7 years, his little sister Ellen - the embodiment of puberty-, and then there's still his job at the local grocery, the affair he has with a married woman, and of course the house, built by his father, that is about to crack under the weight Gilbert' mother puts on it.

We're left to wonder when Gilbert himself will crack under all this pressure, but interestingly enough he doesn't until he has someone to save him from himself. Endora-newbie Becky, who's only on a short stop on her journey through half America helps Gilbert cope with his life and is a welcome distraction from his everyday-rhythm or -trouble.

That includes Gilbert's brother Arnie climbing up the local water tower and Gilbert talking him into getting down again - while half of the town is gaping -, trying to save the old house from his mother's weight by adding some extra thick planks, getting seduced by the most beautiful married woman in town in her own kitchen while her husband is just outside or the daily struggle to get Arnie to take his much-needed bath.

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" examines the relationships of it's characters, shows them from all the different sides you might want to see and never judges anyone, it lefts you to judge for yourself. It's not a movie with big action or a complicated plot, no, "Gilbert Grape" is nothing but LIFE.