What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

After his father's death, Gilbert has to care for his mentally-disabled brother, Arnie, and his morbidly obese mother. This situation is suddenly challenged though, when love unexpectedly walks into his life.

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers:

Peter Hedges (novel), Peter Hedges (screenplay)

Stars:

Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johnny Depp	...	Gilbert Grape
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Arnie Grape
Juliette Lewis	...	Becky
Mary Steenburgen	...	Betty Carver
Darlene Cates	...	Bonnie Grape
Laura Harrington	...	Amy Grape
Mary Kate Schellhardt	...	Ellen Grape
Kevin Tighe	...	Ken Carver
John C. Reilly	...	Tucker Van Dyke
Crispin Glover	...	Bobby McBurney
Penelope Branning	...	Becky's Grandma
Tim Green	...	Mr. Lamson
Susan Loughran	...	Mrs. Lamson
Robert B. Hedges	...	Minister (as Rev. Robert B. Hedges)
Mark Jordan	...	Todd Carver

Storyline

What's Eating Gibert Grape is a beautifully shot movie of tenderness, caring and self-awareness that is set amongst the fictional working class one street town Endora. Centred around the Grape family Ellen and Amy and their two brothers Arnie and Gilbert, who, along with their morbidly obese widowed mother Bonnie Grape are striving to survive and coexist with the absence of a father figure, low wage work and seventeen-year-old Arnie's severe mental condition. It is in this awkward and extremely one sided affair that the unfortunate Gilbert has to constantly, while working for the town's slowly dying convenience store, take care of his younger brother Arnie. Gilbert's life, his future, is thwarted he knows this, but it is in this guardian angel that his love and bond for Arnie cannot, and will not, be let go. That is until the free spirit of Becky arrives in town, and with her grandmother are stranded for the week while waiting for parts for their vehicle. This realization unties new ...

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Plot Keywords:

mentally challenged | small town | countryside | rural setting | responsibility | 

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Taglines:

Arnie: Tomorrow's my birthday, I'm gonna have a party and you're not invited.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for elements of mature subject matter

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gilbert Grape

Filming Locations:

Georgetown, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$9,170,214

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When getting into character, Leonardo DiCaprio remarked of it, "I had to really research to get into the mind of somebody like that. I spent a few days at a home for mentally retarded teens. We just talked and I watched their mannerisms. People have these expectations that mentally retarded children are really crazy, but that isn't so. It's refreshing to see them, because everything's so new to them."

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Goofs

The position of the Burger Barn cup in Arnie's hand when he is drinking his shake. First the logo is seen. In the next shot it is turned away.

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Quotes

Gilbert: Bobby, how's business?
Bobby: Oh, not good... nobody's dying.

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Connections

Featured in Titanic Review (2012)

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Soundtracks

This Magic Moment
by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman
Performed by The Manor High School Marching Band

User Reviews

can you believe Leo is not brain damaged?!

As many have said, the first time I saw this slice of "unusual" life film, I was certain that the actor playing Arnie was mentally handicapped. This was the performance to end all. I have been around mentally challenged people who were the carbon copy of the character that Leonardo portrayed. I do no think that anyone else could have pulled this off without looking ridiculous. Our protagonist, Mr. Johnny Depp did his usual amazing work, but it is the performance by Leo that makes this film a must see. I just saw it again tonight, and was blown away again. Acting schools must have copies of this in their files!! Will always be a Leo fan for this one film alone.