7. Arnie Grape - What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
"Match in the gas tank! Boom! Boom!" An early performance from Leonardo DiCaprio and it still remains one of his best, as he manages to totally outshine his co-stars, particularly Johnny Depp who plays the eponymous Gilbert Grape. Playing a character with a mental or physical disability is a huge challenge for actors (you want to give an accurate portrayal and not cause offense,) and such is the level of Leonardo DiCaprio's commitment to the role, that he is almost unrecognisable from subsequent roles. His performance is authentic and entirely sympathetic and it is impossible not to be utterly enthralled by him every time he appears on screen. Arnie has a tough life, and DiCaprio's wounded, empassioned performance utterly sells his predicament, in such a way that every blow he takes is like a hammer blow to the audience.