What's Eating Gilbert Grape

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is a deeply moving glimpse into the frustration, sadness and triumph of love in what some would classify as a dysfunctional family. As the mentally retarded Arnie, Leonardo DiCaprio turns in an incredibly realistic performance; his gestures, his often repetitive speech...everything about his acting seems so perfect for the role he plays. (And I say this as one who has worked with the mentally retarded). It is no wonder he received an Oscar nomination. The story is told mainly through the eyes of Johnny Depp's character, Gilbert who despite his deep love for... more

Set in the fictional town of Endora, Illinois (quite a pregnant name for a city), "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" focuses on the down but not yet out Grape family: a mother (Darlene Cates) who weighs over 500 pounds, two sisters (Laura Harrington and Mary Kate Schellhardt) with enough bottled up anger to drown a desert town, a mentally retarded brother named Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio) who's about to turn 18 despite assurances that he'd never live a third that long, and Gilbert (Johnny Depp), the glue that holds them all together. The burdens of the family, be they running errands in his truck... more

What's Eating Gilbert Grape? 1993, 117 minutes. Based on the novel by Peter Hedges. Directed by Lasse Hallstrom Cast Featuring: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, Darlene Cates, Laura Harrington, Mary Kate Schellhardt, Kevin Tighe, John C. Reilly, and Crispin Glover. DiCaprio was nominated for the Academy Award, Best Supporting Actor, and the Golden Globe Award, Best Supporting Actor. This magnificent drama unfolds in a small Iowa town that has seen better days. Gilbert's (Depp)sole purpose in life is to be the backbone of his dysfunctional family. One that... more