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:

A film about the love you find...In the last place you look.

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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:

What's Eating 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

The cast includes two Oscar winners, Leonardo DiCaprio and Mary Steenburgen; and three Oscar nominees, Juliette Lewis, Johnny Depp, and John C. Reilly.

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Goofs

While Becky and Gilbert are talking, she's wet up to her chest, but her hair is dry. When Gilbert walks into the water towards Becky, her hair is wet for just a moment, then in the next shot it's dry again.

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Quotes

Gilbert: Ellen? Ellen?
Ellen Grape: What?
Gilbert: Could you not talk with your mouth full?
Ellen Grape: Excuse me?
Gilbert: You're making me sick, I'm gonna throw up.
Ellen Grape: Oh, okay, dad. Sure thing, dad.

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Connections

Referenced in Into the Night with...: Juliette Lewis und Crispin Glover (2010)

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Soundtracks

Music from 'Harmony Lane'
(Harmony Lane (1935))
by Arthur Kay

User Reviews

DiCaprio Is Excellent

I saw this movie a couple of years ago and have seen it many times since. I have worked with special needs children for nearly 20 years, and Leonardo DiCaprio gives an excellent performance as a mentally challenged teenager. His mannerisms and vocal inflection as Arnie were dead on. I had never been a DiCaprio fan until I watched this movie, now I see him in a completely different light. He SO deserved an Oscar for this performance. It puts that whole Dustin Hoffman/Rainman performance to shame.

Beyond this outstanding performance is an incredible movie. What is eating Gilbert Grape indeed? Oh, just a loony housewife that wants him at every turn, a mother who requires as much care as a child and a mentally challenged brother who requires almost as much care as a toddler. What is not eating him alive is a better question. The anger culminates in a harsh scene with Arnie. That scene is so real it tears my heart out.

Fabulous film, fantastic performances. One of my favorites.