Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Johnny Depp | ... | Gilbert Grape | |
Leonardo DiCaprio | ... | Arnie Grape | |
Juliette Lewis | ... | Becky | |
Mary Steenburgen | ... | Betty Carver | |
Darlene Cates | ... | Momma | |
Laura Harrington | ... | Amy Grape | |
Mary Kate Schellhardt | ... | Ellen Grape | |
Kevin Tighe | ... | Mr. Carver | |
John C. Reilly | ... | Tucker Van Dyke | |
Crispin Glover | ... | Bobby McBurney | |
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Penelope Branning | ... | Becky's Grandma |
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Tim Green | ... | Mr. Lamson |
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Susan Loughran | ... | Mrs. Lamson |
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Robert B. Hedges | ... | Minister (as Rev. Robert B. Hedges) |
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Mark Jordan | ... | Todd Carver |
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 ... Written by Cinema_Fan
The first time I saw this film, I had yet to know the name Leonardo DiCaprio. And I was stunned. Is that actor really retarded or what? His acting is so excellent, you don't need to doubt why he got to be so big.
But all others perform real well also. I have always had an eye for Depp's acting, and Lewis is, like always, little. The new thing is that she's kind and caring.
This is a great film, and if nothing else, watch it because a swede directed it.