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%

Tomatometer

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).

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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

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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Farah R.

@Farah 5d

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 6d

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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Aaron K

Dec 17

This movie really hit hard in the 90’s. It was a more optimistic and sentimental era. Que the sappy music, small town simplicity, and emotional simple little things, this film is an ode to the times. It fits right in with Forest Gump and Driving Miss Daisy. Simple and self-contained, aggressively inoffensive, you can forget about questioning society or any larger messaging. Feels sort of naive by today’s standards and it comes off as timid, unwilling to ruffle feathers and designed to please the status quo. 2 stars.

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Mo S.

@9mr_0 Dec 16

تحفة فنية بكل المقايس دراما رائعة و اداء تمثيلي اسطوري من الطاقم تصوير و اخراج جميل لكن المخرج لو مركز على دور ايمي اكثر كان اضاف دراما اكثر والممثلة القائمة بالدور عدها امكانيات جباره لو مستفاد منها

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 19

Unfunny in 1 hour and 58 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $7,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Krish P

@K-singh 02/09/2025

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

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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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