Things in Endora don't change often or much, and just the appearance of a new girl in town upsets the balance of his life. She and Gilbert hit it off almost immediately. Unfortunately, this distracts him from his duties as, more than once, Arnie saunters off to scale the local water tower. Momma would prefer that his life wouldn't be cut off any shorter due to a dangerous stunt. Towards the end of the film things actually start to happen.
People die, people leave, and there is finally a feeling of change in the air.
Heartthrob Johnny Depp likewise does an admirable job playing the film's main character and narrator. In that regard, its entertainment value sneaks up on you rather than hitting you bluntly on the head.