What's Eating Gilbert Grape | Rotten Tomatoes

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

PG-13

Released Dec 25, 1993

1 hr. 58 min.

Comedy

Drama

TRAILER

for What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Trailer 1

List

90%

52 Reviews

Tomatometer

89%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Gertrude F

A beautiful story about Gilbert, a young man who feels stuck and unsatisfied, burdened and ashamed of his family. What amazing performances, especially from DiCaprio and Darlene Cates, and one of my favourite movie endings ever. An absolute masterpiece that will stay with you forever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/02/23

Full Review

LayLa L

All of the casts r perfect for their roles in this movie. Esp, Arnie acted his role for the best, I've ever seen. There's the two scene that touched my heart. One is, When Gilbert slaps Arnie, Arnie can changed the perfect face that suit with of his feeling. N Two is, when their mom died, they burned down their house for her. I rly Love the movie. It my fav ever 90 th movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/01/23

Full Review

Camilo C

now i know what milf means

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/06/23

Full Review

Louis Quinn M

The "eating" of this film is meticulously portrayed as a slow buildup of corrosive feelings in Gilberts mind. With all the external issues he struggles with throughout his life, he meets an unforeseen temporary "angel guardian" who permanently redirects his intended future.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/23

Full Review

Nicole M

It is late on a weekday night and I am feeling wistful and nostalgic for my youth. For the crushes, for dirt toads, cutback, country town. For the limitations of being young, which makes every escape so vivid, wild, and precious. For the dream of adventure, and the endless spirit for it. The complexity of this film beyond what I'm describing is phenomenal. The unacknowledged responsibility and self-service of Gilbert and Amy. The subtle and perfect reflection of small town life. Wow. I could so FEEL what it is like to be the characters. I can still feel the lingering body sensations. This film hit the spot tonight. I am so moved.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/25/23

Full Review

slick j

Don't expect the traditional movie formula of - EXPOSITION, CONFLICT, RISING ACTION, CLIMAX, FALLING ACTION, and RESOLUTION. This is a heart-felt movie of watching the day to day life of a struggling rural family that many families can identify with. Its a movie about real life, real day to day struggles, and learning to deal with emotions in a complex family unit in a small town. It's not a Saturday night movie. It's a Thursday night movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/06/23

Full Review

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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: Official Clip - Burger Barn!

1:09

What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Official Clip - Because He's Gilbert

1:20

What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Official Clip - Gilbert Comes Back

2:13

What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Official Clip - Going in the Water

1:26

What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Official Clip - Praying Mantis

0:27

What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Official Clip - Dad's Dead

1:42

What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Official Clip - No One's Sorry

0:35

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What's Eating Gilbert Grape: Trailer 1

2:00

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Wendy Ide

Times (UK)

A blissful slice of Americana...

Aug 16, 2022

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

A blissful slice of Americana...

Rated: 4/5

Sep 3, 2021

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

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

Rated: B-

Mar 22, 2021

Full Review

Jack Hawkins

HeyUGuys

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

Rated: 4/5

Apr 6, 2021

Full Review

Ken Eisner

Georgia Straight

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.

Mar 22, 2021

Full Review

Sergio Benítez

Espinof

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]

Aug 28, 2019

Full Review

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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
Executive Producer: Lasse Hallström, Alan C. Blomquist
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
Sound Mix: Surround

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