What's Eating Gilbert Grape

4.00
    What's Eating Gilbert Grape
    1993

    Synopsis

    Gilbert Grape is a small-town young man with a lot of responsibility. Chief among his concerns are his mother, who is so overweight that she can't leave the house, and his mentally impaired younger brother, Arnie, who has a knack for finding trouble. Settled into a job at a grocery store and an ongoing affair with local woman Betty Carver, Gilbert finally has his life shaken up by the free-spirited Becky.

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    Cast

    • Johnny DeppGilbert Grape
    • Juliette LewisBecky
    • Leonardo DiCaprioArnie Grape
    • Mary SteenburgenBetty Carver
    • Darlene CatesBonnie Grape
    • Laura HarringtonAmy Grape
    • Mary Kate SchellhardtEllen Grape
    • Kevin TigheKen Carver
    • John C. ReillyTucker Van Dyke
    • Crispin GloverBobby McBurney

    Recommendations

    • 100

      Chicago Sun-Times

      Some of the best movies are like this: They show everyday life, carefully observed, and as we grow to know the people in the film, maybe we find out something about ourselves. The fact that Hallstrom is able to combine these qualities with comedy, romance and even melodrama make the movie very rare.
    • 80

      The New York Times

      Particularly impressive are the sweet, weirdly idyllic tone of Mr. Hallstrom's direction and Johnny Depp's tender, disarming performance as the long-suffering Gilbert Grape.
    • 80

      Empire

      Depp puts in a reliable performance as the put-upon son who finds solace in the company of waitress, Juliette Lewis. All three deliver memorable performances along with a strong supporting cast.
    • 75

      Rolling Stone

      An offbeat mix of typically quirky elements, and it could have easily been hard to stomach. But the author and director Lasse Hallstrom's affection for these characters shines through. Their greatest asset is the young Leo himself, in his first Oscar-nominated role, bringing great sensitivity and complexity to a part that might have come off as cloying or cynical.
    • 70

      Variety

      An offbeat, middleweight charmer that is lent a measure of substance by its astute performances and observational insight.
    • 67

      Entertainment Weekly

      This is one nowhere boy who commands your attention.
    • 60

      Los Angeles Times

      The relationship between Gilbert and Arnie has "Of Mice and Men" vibes, but it strikes a responsive chord in a way that the rest of the film doesn't. Most of the credit for that goes to DiCaprio's performance.
    • 60

      TV Guide Magazine

      The film is heavy on character and atmosphere and light on action, though what does happen is so bizarre as to verge on the ridiculous.

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