What's Eating Gilbert Grape

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What's Eating Gilbert Grape

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 1993

1h 58m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

90%

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52 Reviews

89%

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250,000+ Ratings

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

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Critics Consensus

It's sentimental and somewhat predictable, but those are small complaints, given the tender atmosphere and moving performances at the heart of What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

A blissful slice of Americana...

Aug 16, 2022

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

A blissful slice of Americana...

Rated: 4/5

Sep 3, 2021

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Despite Depp's tender melancholy, the performers who stay with you are those who dare to crack the surface of their characters' alienation.

Rated: B-

Mar 22, 2021

Full Review

Jack Hawkins

HeyUGuys

Grape makes a lasting impression with its quirky performances and bittersweet themes of hope, humility and perseverance.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 6, 2021

Full Review

Ken Eisner

Georgia Straight

This emphasis on character and texture is full of pleasurable rewards-especially when the astonishing DiCaprio is on-screen-and there's enough growth and compassion to keep it from being a Diane Arbus freak show come to life.

Mar 22, 2021

Full Review

Sergio Benítez

Espinof

Although DiCaprio is the one who ends up getting more attention from the public due to the enormous performance, the movie gives life to a restrained Johnny Depp. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 28, 2019

Full Review

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Krish P

Great great acting. One of my favorite movies. This is a must watch in your lifetime.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/09/25

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Brendan O

Classic drama, didn’t seem big when I was growing up but as I’ve gotten older more people seem to know about it. Love Leo’s performance and the whole cast play their part marvellously

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/25

Full Review

Joseph Y

Absolutely Beautiful! I would have cried, but I don cry often so I didn't. The performances were simply splendid. Shoutout to Leonardo DiCaprio, great job, keep up the good work. Everyone was great and I loved it. I noticed if you go to the scene where Becky is in the water and gets Gilbert to go in her hair is wet in a shot and a second later it isn't when it shows it from a different angle. I'm not trying to be rude or anything, I'm just pointing it out. Anyway, this was a work of art. Also I would like to say good job to everyone who worked on the film because I know that you don't get as much recognition even though you also put in a lot of work. Thanks.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/28/24

Full Review

Leaburn O

Well acted, especially a young DiCaprio. The plot is thin but it’s more about character development or something. Actually I’m not sure what it’s about really but it made for pleasant enough viewing. Saw it in Great Movies channel.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/28/24

Full Review

Abel W

Great story, great film making. Some of my favourite actors at their best. A classic 90s must see that has stood the test of time!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/24

Full Review

Audience Member

I lasted 10 minutes - no, not watching this tripe. As if ordinary nobodies would be an interesting story. I had the same trouble trying to read catcher in the rye Zero interest - watching grass grow would be far more entertaining.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/24

Full Review

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Lasse Hallström

Director

Johnny Depp

Gilbert Grape

Juliette Lewis

Becky

Mary Steenburgen

Betty Carver

Leonardo DiCaprio

Arnie Grape

Darlene Cates

Bonnie Grape

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What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

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

Director: Lasse Hallström
Producer: David Matalon, Bertil Ohlsson, Meir Teper
Screenwriter: Peter Hedges, Peter Hedges
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, J&M Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 25, 1993, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.8M
Runtime: 1h 58m
Sound Mix: Surround

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