What's Eating Gilbert Grape

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What's Eating Gilbert Grape

PG-13

1993

1h 58m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

90%

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51 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

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).

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

The Times (UK)

08/16/2022

A blissful slice of Americana...

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

09/03/2021

4/5

A blissful slice of Americana...

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

03/22/2021

B-

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

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Jack Hawkins

HeyUGuys

04/06/2021

4/5

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

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Ken Eisner

Georgia Straight

03/22/2021

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.

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Sergio Benítez

Espinof

08/28/2019

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]

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Adelay C.

@27adeco 1d

The anchoring force in this charm of a movie is, without a doubt, Leo’s performance. He keeps me coming back to watch it time and time again.

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L T.

@RT87527728 Apr 3

Amazing acting, and a beautiful, complex story.

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Beckett E.

@jisky0-daxkej-kerbUn Mar 28

A great movie with the lesson of responsibility.

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thiago S

@Thiagostone Mar 13

Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

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Farah R.

@Farah Feb 11

I get why this film made such a significant impact in the 90s, primarily because it not only launched Leonardo DiCaprio’s career, but also for its realistic portrayal of a small town American family. While its poignant story and phenomenal characters are praiseworthy, I found it a little dull and unenjoyable.

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Violet D.

@violethole Feb 10

Perfect cast. Amazing acting. Storyline is authentic and unique. Not many movies i’ve seen like this. Highly recommend. Could’ve been shorter to prevent what seemed like rushed actions in the film making process.

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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

2:00

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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