This family drama feels pretty standard and run-of-the-mill, but Leonardo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp’s acting really stands out as a highlight. Occasionally, a film is memorable because of an actor’s exceptional work, especially when that performer is quite young. This movie fits that description; it's a fairly typical family drama centered on a young man attempting to lead a normal existence while also shouldering the responsibility for his family—particularly his mother, who struggles with morbid obesity and depression, and his younger brother, whose mental health issues are never clearly defined within the story. To be honest, I didn’t find the screenplay particularly compelling. There's an abundance of family dramas in cinema, and this one doesn’t bring anything notably new or original to the table. And while the script didn’t impress me, the production elements and technical aspects are even less noteworthy, with the film relying on very conventional and unremarkable visuals and a rhythm that occasionally drags and stumbles due to editing that isn't always successful. What elevates the movie is the cast, which features two young actors who were considered quite promising at the time: Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio. Depp was more established when he joined this project, while DiCaprio was still relatively unknown and just starting his career. Nevertheless, their collaboration in this film is remarkable; they seemed to know how to bring out the best in each other, which benefits the audience. Even though we now recognize Depp through a variety of unusual roles, his character here is completely ordinary—responsible, mature, and strong. DiCaprio, however, really shines, even more so than Depp. As a teenager struggling with mental instability, DiCaprio had considerable freedom to explore and develop the character’s personality, mannerisms, and quirks. The final result feels very believable and surprising. Mary Steenburgen and Darlene Cates provide solid supporting performances and deliver the strongest portrayals from the female actors. In stark contrast, Juliette Lewis has limited involvement, while Laura Harrington and Mary Kate Schellhardt seem to almost vanish whenever they appear.

Source on TMDB