What's Eating Gilbert Grape: A Review Of The Classic Johnny Depp Movie

“What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is a classic movie starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio that follows the story of a dysfunctional family struggling with their own inner demons. From the moment it was released in 1993, it has been widely praised for its strong characters, beautiful cinematography, and emotional depth. Now available on Amazon, this timeless film can be enjoyed by modern audiences as well.

The film centers around Gilbert (Depp), a young man who is stuck in a small town with his family: his mother Bonnie (Darlene Cates), his mentally disabled brother Arnie (DiCaprio), his sisters Amy and Ellen (Laura Harrington and Mary Kate Schellhardt) and their grandmother (played by Juliette Lewis). Gilbert takes on the responsibility of caring for his siblings while also trying to figure out a way to escape from the monotony of their life. He finds solace in taking care of the local grocery store, but struggles to understand why he feels so disconnected from everyone else.

At its heart, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is a story about learning to accept yourself and those around you despite all of your differences. The performances are top-notch, particularly DiCaprio’s portrayal of Arnie, which earned him an Oscar nomination. This special edition DVD also includes deleted scenes and a commentary track with director Lasse Hallström, making it an even more comprehensive look at this beloved classic. For fans of drama or anyone looking for a powerful story about family dynamics, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is highly recommended.

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What’s Eating Gilbert Grape Review

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? is a beloved classic film, starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio. It tells the story of an incredibly close-knit family, living in a small town and struggling to make ends meet. Through the challenges and tribulations that life throws at them, they learn to be there for each other and discover what it means to truly accept one another.

Key Features:

1) Two Academy Award® Nominations – Best Supporting Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) & Best Actress (Darlene Cates).

2) Directed by Lasse Hallström – The acclaimed director of such films as My Life As A Dog, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is his first American feature.

3) Starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis – With performances that earned both actors Golden Globe® nominations for their work.

4) Captures the Essence of Small Town Life – Featuring an all-star ensemble cast that brings to life the everyday struggles of a working class family in rural America.

5) Includes Special Features – Behind the Scenes Featurettes, Audio Commentary with Director Lasse Hallström, Cast/Crew Interviews, Deleted Scenes, Music Videos and more.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? is a heartwarming tale about a family facing financial hardship but determined to stick together no matter what. The film features two Academy Award® nominated performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Darlene Cates, as well as stellar performances from Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis. Directed by Lasse Hallström, this classic drama captures the essence of life in small town America. Special features include behind the scenes featurettes, audio commentary with director Lasse Hallström, cast/crew interviews, deleted scenes, music videos and more. Whether you’re looking for an inspiring story or just want to relive one of your favorite movies from the 90s, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? is sure to satisfy!

Product Details

Title	What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Release Date	1993
Director	Lasse Hallström
Writer(s)	Peter Hedges (novel), Peter Hedges (screenplay)
Starring	Johnny Depp: Gilbert Grape Leonardo DiCaprio: Arnie Grape Juliette Lewis: Becky
Genre	Drama, Comedy, Romance
Rating	PG-13
Runtime	118 minutes
Language	English
Country	USA

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape Pros and Cons

1. Pros of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

It’s a classic tale of coming-of-age, with a twist: It focuses on the struggles of a young man who is forced to take care of his family when his father passes away.

The movie features an incredible performance by Johnny Depp in the lead role.

The film has a heartfelt story that will pull at your heartstrings and make you feel for the characters.

The movie also features strong performances from other cast members like Juliette Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Mary Steenburgen.

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape won several awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

2. Cons of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Some viewers may find the slow pacing of the film to be off-putting.

The movie also contains some disturbing scenes that could be too intense for younger viewers.

If you’re looking for a touching coming-of-age story with amazing performances from its star-studded cast, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape” is worth watching. With an Academy Award nomination and several awards under its belt, this movie is sure to tug at your heartstrings and make you appreciate life in unexpected ways. However, if you don’t like slow-paced movies or intense scenes, this one might not be for you.

Who are They for

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 drama film starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, and Leonardo DiCaprio. Directed by Lasse Hallström, the film follows Gilbert (Depp) as he struggles to take care of his mentally disabled brother Arnie (DiCaprio) and their eccentric family in a small town.

The story is one of unconditional love and acceptance, as it shows Gilbert’s immense dedication to his family even when faced with difficult circumstances. The cast also features Mary Steenburgen, John C. Reilly, Laura Harrington, and Crispin Glover.

This movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and was selected for preservation in the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry. It has become a classic, beloved by audiences of all ages for its humor, heartwarming messages, and outstanding performances from all involved.

My Experience for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

I’m not sure if it was the juicy plot, the quirky characters, or the terrific performances that sold me on What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, but I’m so glad I watched it! Johnny Depp stars as Gilbert, a young man trying to support his family in a small town. His brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio) is developmentally disabled, and his mother (Darlene Cates) is bedridden due to her obesity. The film follows Gilbert as he tries to manage his chaotic life while also dreaming of something bigger.

The movie features many memorable moments, such as when Arnie gets stuck in a tree and the whole town has to come together to rescue him. It also features some beautiful scenery, as Gilbert takes a road trip with two friends and falls in love with an attractive woman (Juliette Lewis). Overall, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is an endearing and heartwarming movie about family, friendship, and finding your place in the world. Highly recommended!

What I don’t Like

1. Slow pacing – The film has a slow pace that some viewers may find tedious.
2. Convoluted storyline – There are many twists and turns in the plot which can be confusing to follow.
3. Dark subject matter – The movie deals with serious topics such as poverty, mental illness, and suicide which may not be suitable for all viewers.
4. Lack of on-screen chemistry – Some characters have little on-screen chemistry between them which can make their interactions feel flat or unconvincing.

How to Make Life Simpler with What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

It’s not always easy to stay organized, but What’s Eating Gilbert Grape can help! This classic movie starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio is a great way to help you find structure in your life and make the most of everyday tasks. Here are a few ways how:

Set Goals for Yourself – The movie follows Gilbert as he juggles his responsibilities of taking care of his brother Arnie and his mother, while also trying to find time for himself. Watching Gilbert set goals for himself and work hard to achieve them can be inspiring and remind you that no matter how much is on your plate, it’s possible to get it all done.

Prioritize Your To-Do List – Seeing the importance Gilbert places on taking time out for himself amidst all of his other commitments can teach us all something about prioritizing our lists. Knowing which tasks are most important and tackling those first can help you stay focused, organized, and motivated.

Take Care of Yourself – One of the biggest lessons we learn from Gilbert is that it’s essential to take care of yourself even when there’s so much else going on. Taking breaks throughout the day and carving out personal time can renew energy levels and keep you feeling healthy, happy, and productive.

Whether you want to get more organized or just take a break from your hectic schedule, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape provides an entertaining way to do just that!

Questions about What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

How is What’s Eating Gilbert Grape relevant today?

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is an iconic movie that still resonates with audiences, even more than 25 years after its release. Through themes of family, acceptance and coming of age, viewers are able to identify with the characters and their struggles. With Johnny Depp in a star-making role, this classic film continues to delight audiences who appreciate its unique blend of humor and drama.

What are some of the awards won by What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape has been nominated for numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and a BAFTA Award. In addition, it was awarded Best Screenplay from the Writers Guild of America and Best Actor from the National Board of Review for Johnny Depp’s performance.

What themes does What’s Eating Gilbert Grape explore?

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape explores many complex themes such as family dynamics, coming of age, responsibility and acceptance. The film follows the life of teenage Gilbert (Johnny Depp) as he navigates his relationships with his dysfunctional family while also caring for his mentally challenged brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Themes of love, loyalty and compassion come through as Gilbert learns to accept himself and those around him.

Ray Cooley

I'm a movie enthusiast with a passion for discovering the latest and greatest films. I love to watch movies with friends, discuss them online, and share my thoughts about them in reviews. The only thing I enjoy more than watching a great film is telling others why it's so special!