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:

Obese Woman | Slice Of Life | Hydrophobia | Teenage Boy | Americana

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Mon. June 2

8:30 AM

HBO

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

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

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

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

J&M Entertainment

Trivia:

Darlene Cates was chosen for the part of Bonnie Grape after a casting director contacted the "Sally Jessy Raphael" (1985) show and was sent a tape of her appearance as a guest a few months earlier.

Goofs:

Continuity: The position of the Burger Barn cup in Arnie's hand when he is drinking his shake. First the logo is seen. In the next shot it is turned away.

Quotes:

Tucker: How's momma?
Gilbert: She's fat.
Tucker: Come on man. She's not all that big, Gilbert.
Gilbert: What?
Tucker: Listen, I saw a guy at the state fair that was... a little bit bigger.
Gilbert: A little bit bigger?
Tucker: Look, all I'm sayin is that she's not the biggest I ever seen, okay?
Gilbert: Tucker, she's a whale!
Tucker: Well take her out for a walk once and while.
Gilbert: Take her out for a jog!
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: What's Eating Gilbert Grissom? (#5.6)" (2004)

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.