I Liked Leo Best When He Dribbled
October 13th 2007 01:29
Leonardo DiCaprio – he inspired ‘Leomania’ throughout the world after playing Jack Dawson in Titanic, he portrayed Howard Hughes in The Aviator, went out with supermodel Gisele Bundchen, is a favourite of cinema legend Martin Scorsese and was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Blood Diamond. But it was his role as mentally handicapped Arnie Grape that that will always stand out for me.
With a gleeful fondness for climbing the water tower of Endora and playing hide-and-seek, Leo as Arnie outshines even Johnny Depp’s title character in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape – no mean feat, according to moi.
DiCaprio was nineteen when he took on the role that would earn him his first Academy Award nomination. He spent time at a hospital for children with disabilities in order to prepare himself to play the youngest male Grape, and the results on film were astonishing.
Never has DiCaprio been more convincing. He wrenches from his audience an aching tenderness that along with the frustration, confusion, resoluteness, hopelessness and ingrained sense of dignity the rest of the characters invoke, gives this tragicomedy its eminence.
Michaelie Clark
DiCaprio was nineteen when he took on the role that would earn him his first Academy Award nomination. He spent time at a hospital for children with disabilities in order to prepare himself to play the youngest male Grape, and the results on film were astonishing.
Michaelie Clark
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Comment by katyzzz
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katyzzz
Comment by Mrs M
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It's been years since I've seen this film but I do remember that it was good.
I think I originally watched it because of Johnny Depp but Leonardo did a great job.
Have you seen Basketball Diaries? I think that was pre Romeo & Juliet. From memory Leonardo was also good in that one.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by James Rickard
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Angling Fish
Comment by Michaelie
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And of course he would fancy you - from what I see there you've got it all going on!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I have seen Basketball Diaries, but not for some time - should have another look.
Johnny Depp is ALWAYS incredible. (Not a bad actor, either, lol.) The fact that Leo could upstage him in this says a lot. I think he's just been getting back into the roles that really show his talent, ie. The Departed and Blood Diamond, but to give a performance like that when he was so young... amazing.
Thanks for the comment, Mrs M!
Michaelie
Comment by Techno
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Leonardo, nah, give him the flick
chicwitTechno the Movie Star
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I'm the same. I never was a Leomaniac around the time of Titanic, but I just loved him in Gilbert Grape, and I'm liking the more matured approach he's taking to his roles now. Though I do suppose the image he garnered previously probably had more to do with hormonal teens than anything he really wanted to project, lol.
Thanks James!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
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Thanks for coming by!
Michaelie
Comment by JohnDoe
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Basketball Diaries also impressed me.
Another fine post Michaelie...
Comment by Luke
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Comment by Cibbuano
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He always looks fresh faced, though...
Comment by Michaelie
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Comment by Louie
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cool post
Comment by Michaelie
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I really loved Catch Me If You Can too - better than Matchstick Men, which people seem to compare it to because of the con element.
Frank Abagnale's story fascinates me. I really liked the book, but Leo makes the movie live up to it, which is rare, I think.
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I guess he just can't help being beautiful! Such a blessing if you have no talent, but often a burden if you do!
He did well in Blood Diamond - that accent would have to be one of the harder ones to master.
Thanks for stopping by!
Michaelie
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
I haven't seen it but I know that he IS supposed to be one of the few celebs that are genuinely environmentally conscious. He doesn't just do 'cool green', apparently.
But you're right, cynically speaking, an environmental doco can up ANYONE's fame and fortune at the moment!
Thanks for the comment and the compliment, Louie!
Michaelie
Comment by KylieW
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Comment by Michaelie
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And hopefully we'll be seeing more of that from him in the future.
Michaelie
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Comment by Michaelie
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I saw Gilbert Grape after I saw Titanic, so I had to revise my opinion of him too. He does seem devoted to the work more than the fame, which can only be a good thing, and he seems to be gaining his old momentum again now, so keep an eye on him!
Michaelie