What's Eating Gilbert Grape
1993
Lasse Hallstrom directs this beautifully photographed, critically acclaimed drama about small-town life and the contraints that a young man's family responsibilities put on his independence. The screenplay is written by Peter Hedges who also wrote the novel of the same name.Bizarre, whimsical, and touching scenes mark WHAT'S .. Read more
| Starring | Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Leonardo DiCaprio |
|---|---|
| Director | Lasse Hallstrom |
| Genres | Drama |
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What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Lasse Hallstrom directs this beautifully photographed, critically acclaimed drama about small-town life and the contraints that a young man's family responsibilities put on his independence. The screenplay is written by Peter Hedges who also wrote the novel of the same name.
Bizarre, whimsical, and touching scenes mark WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE. Johnny Depp is Gilbert, the eldest brother in a large family of a very large (morbidly obese, actually) mother (Darlene Cates) who hasn't left the house since her husband committed suicide years before. Leonardo DiCaprio, who received an Academy Award nomination for his role, is Arnie, Gilbert's retarded teenage brother who needs constant supervision (he's often found scaling the town's water tower). Caring, passive Gilbert is burdened beyond reason, living a dead-end life in a dying small town, stacking shelves at a grocery store whose business is being taken over by the new supermarket. Gilbert's best friends (Crispin Glover and John C. Reilly) see their futures in the form of undertaker and Burger Barn owner, and Gilbert's other social life is taken up with a random affair with a frustrated and reckless housewife (Mary Steenburgen). Everyone needs the constantly patient Gilbert, whose future seems equally grim until well-travelled, straightforward Becky (Juliette Lewis) and her nonconformist grandmother (Penelope Branning) come to town. Their camper van is in need of repair, so Becky stays long enough to actually have an effect on Gilbert, making his new life spiral in wild ways, awakening him to the fact that he is not living his own life. Based on the novel by Peter Hedges (who also wrote the screenplay), WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE is quirky, irresistible, and endearingly eccentric without being a freak show.
| Starring | Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Leonardo DiCaprio, John C. Reilly |
|---|---|
| Director | Lasse Hallstrom |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 52 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 29 Mar 2004 Production year: 1993 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Johnny Depp has spent most of his working life trying to avoid the sort of Hollywood career his pretty boy looks would seem to demand, and this gentle oddity is a case in point. Depp takes the title role, playing the sensitive but level-headed teenager who has his hands full coping with an enormously obese mother (Darlene Cates), who won't leave the house, and a mentally disabled younger brother (Leonardo DiCaprio). The latter steals the show, but the entire cast which also includes Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen and Crispin Glover turns in winning performances. Director Lasse Hallström, who made his name with My Life as a Dog, lets sentiment creep in, but still demonstrates a sharp outsider's eye for the quirkiness of Americana.
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Hallström's finally struck a chord with the Americans, though it's much the same cocktail of whimsy and worry, the... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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29 out of 30 people found this review helpful
ASTOUNDING
Absolutely brillint movie. Fantastic performances from Johnny and Leonardo. If you aren't already in love with Johnny Depp, you will be after watching this movie! His portrayal of Gilbert Grape is charming and intense. I cried so much watching the scene between Gilbert and his 'Moma' Gibert has the world on his shoulders caring for his overweight mother and retarded brother (Decaprio) He also feels he has had to take the place of his father who commited suicide 17 years ago. Gilbert sems to be in a waking coma and has no real life of his own. A new girl in town (Juliette Lewis - also great in this movie) helps show Gilbert the way to a happier life. A really lovely movie. I watched it twice, 2 days in a row, but I'm not watching it again for a while - I cry so much at the end! Also a great performance from the lady who played 'Moma' - She wasn't even an actress when she got the part. They needed an overweight person to play the role and discovered her on the Sally Jessy Raphael Show - She hadn't left her house for 5 years. She was amazing.
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Most recent members' review
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3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
This movie made me look out and listen for every Jonny depp movie being rleased. He chooses such wonderful roles...Sleepy hollow, Pirates, Fear and loathing, Edwars s.hands. This movie can be enjoyed by anyone. Rent it!!
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News and features
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Top 10- Johnny Depp
- 01 Jul 2009
Top 10 - Johnny Depp 21 Jump Street (1987 - 1991) A fresh faced Johnny Depp caught the attention of casting agents everywhere when he signed up to play Officer Tom Hanson, in the popular television series 21 Jump Street between 1987 and 1991. The show explored hard hitting issues of the time associated with teenage delinquency and youth-crime and helped Depp to prove he had the acting credentials and the charisma to make it onto the big screen - as well as launching his heartthrob status.... Read more
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What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Lasse Hallstrom directs this beautifully photographed, critically acclaimed drama about small-town life and the contraints that a young man's family responsibilities put on his independence. The screenplay is written by Peter Hedges who also wrote the novel of the same name.
Bizarre, whimsical, ...
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