What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

Director:

Lasse Hallström

Writers (WGA):

Peter Hedges (novel)
Peter Hedges (screenplay)

Release Date:

25 December 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Arnie knows a secret. His big brother Gilbert is the greatest person on the planet.

Plot:

Gilbert has care for his brother Arnie and his obese mother, which gets in the way when love walks into his life.

Plot Keywords:

Grocery Store | Hydrophobia | Beating | Iowa | Quirky

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Johnny Depp	...	Gilbert Grape
Leonardo DiCaprio	...	Arnie Grape
Juliette Lewis	...	Becky
Mary Steenburgen	...	Betty Carver
Darlene Cates	...	Bonnie Grape
Laura Harrington	...	Amy Grape
Mary Kate Schellhardt	...	Ellen Grape
Kevin Tighe	...	Ken Carver
John C. Reilly	...	Tucker Van Dyke
Crispin Glover	...	Bobby McBurney
Penelope Branning	...	Becky's Grandma
Tim Green	...	Mr. Lamson
Susan Loughran	...	Mrs. Lamson
Robert B. Hedges	...	Minister
Mark Jordan	...	Todd Carver

Also Known As:

¿A quién ama Gilbert Grape? (Spain) [es]
Buon compleanno mr. Grape (Italy) [it]
Co gryzie Gilberta Grape'a? (Poland) [pl]
Gilbert Grape (Sweden) [sv]
Gilbert Grape (Finland) [fi]
Gilbert Grape (Hungary) [hu]
Gilbert Grape (France) [fr]
Gilbert Grape - Aprendiz de Um Sonhador (Brazil) [pt]
Gilbert Grape - Irgendwo in Iowa (Germany) [de]
Kaj zre Gilberta Grapea? (Slovenia) [sl]
Ma Overe al Gilbert? (Israel: Hebrew title) [iw]
Sto muci Gilberta Grapea (Croatia) [hr]

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for elements of mature subject matter.

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #32522) | Iceland:L | France:Unrated | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Canada:PG | Finland:K-10 | Germany:6 (f) | Netherlands:12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | UK:12

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

J&M Entertainment

Trivia:

Leonardo DiCaprio said that playing Arnie was "the most fun I've ever had".

Goofs:

Continuity: After Arnie climbs down from the water tower the first time, the policemen give him a warning and Arnie does the thing with his finger against his nose. His hand then jumps from his face, down to his side and back again between shots.

Quotes:

Arnie: We're not going anywhere! We're not going anywhere!
Arnie: [looks at Gilbert in the truck] Where're you going?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Game-On: (#3.2)" (1998)

can you believe Leo is not brain damaged?!

As many have said, the first time I saw this slice of "unusual" life film, I was certain that the actor playing Arnie was mentally handicapped. This was the performance to end all. I have been around mentally challenged people who were the carbon copy of the character that Leonardo portrayed. I do no think that anyone else could have pulled this off without looking ridiculous. Our protagonist, Mr. Johnny Depp did his usual amazing work, but it is the performance by Leo that makes this film a must see. I just saw it again tonight, and was blown away again. Acting schools must have copies of this in their files!! Will always be a Leo fan for this one film alone.