I'm not 100% sure on that question's answer. Maybe someone reading this discussion can elaborate. However I do know that it is a sad story of a family going through some tough times. But the movie has alot of funny moments too. It centers aroung Gilbert Grape played by Johhny Depp. He's the oldest of four children. His father has committed suicide and he is left with allot of responsibility regarding keeping his family together and looking after his mentally disabled brother (Dicaprio's character). His mother is about as big as a London bus (seriously big) and is the laugh of the town. Gilbert however has fallen in love and is weighing his own future against what's best for his family. It is a poignient story full of emotion and humour. Worth watching if you get the chance. It also gained an Oscar nomination for DiCaprio's acting abilities. I truely thought they paid a mentally disabled actor at the time I saw it for the first time. This was before DiCaprio was well known.