This heartfelt, inviting film is the best offbeat coming-of-age story this side of Gilbert Grape (Maslin).

And what does it mean now that Paramount has begun running ads that give "Gilbert Grape" its question mark after all?

It turns out that Will, the most likably recalcitrant coming-of-age character this side of Gilbert Grape, resists any whiff of success.

And which, like "Gilbert Grape," became an addiction for a certain kind of romantic.

He remembered being on the set when "Gilbert Grape" was being filmed and one of the producers asked him: "What movies do you love?"

But it almost cost him the role of Johnny Depp's mentally retarded younger brother in "Gilbert Grape."

In this case, that young man is one Gilbert Grape, a 24-year-old grocery clerk who has spent his entire life in the town of Endora, Iowa, population 1,091.

And Gilbert Grape, the hero and narrator of this story, has troubles to spare.

The Viper Room, where Phoenix died, is owned by Johnny Depp, the star of "Gilbert Grape."

He's fast becoming the Gilbert Grape of his sport: What's eating Pete Sampras, and why can't he seem to win a tennis tournament anymore?