Sven Nykvist Memorial - Day 1: What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Between this, Chocolat and My Life as a Dog, Lasse Hallstrom has proved himself to be the master of the modern "intimate touching story where seemingly nothing happens, at least not to the casual viewer"-style story. Hallstrom captures the wistful feel of a small town that never was and never will be anything special to passers-by. Gilbert has two closest friends; one's ultimate ambition is to get a job at the new Burger Barn opening, the other works as a mortician and drives a hearse everywhere he goes. What we're seeing here is a prototype for just about every quirky indie-comedy being made today. Unlike most of them, though, What's Eating Gilbert Grape is excellent and genuinely touching.

The film wouldn't have nearly the same amount of power if it weren't for Sven Nykvist's cinematography. What I see here is exemplary of Nykvist's entire career; he elevates a film to emotional and spiritual heights beyond its creators' wildest dreams, while at the same time, almost never calling attention to itself.