SummaryAfter his father's death, Gilbert (Johnny Depp) has to care for his mentally disabled brother, Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio), and his morbidly obese mother. The arrangement is suddenly challenged when love walks into his life.
Directed By:Lasse Hallström
Written By:Peter Hedges
What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Metascore
Generally Favorable
73
User score
Generally Favorable
7.8
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
65% Positive
13 Reviews
13 Reviews
35% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
This is a strange, sweet movie, one that takes awhile to unfold but eventually becomes irresistible. [4 Mar 1994, p.3F]
91
Many actors would focus their energies only on Arnie's tics, but DiCaprio aims for his soul. We could either laugh at Arnie or pity him, but DiCaprio makes us love him. [4 Mar 1994, p.5]
User score
Generally Favorable
85% Positive
66 Ratings
66 Ratings
13% Mixed
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
3% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
Aug 25, 2020
10
Es sentimental, pero es maravillosa, con una linda atmósfera y una excelente historia.
80
Depp puts in a reliable performance as the put-upon son who finds solace in the company of waitress, Juliette Lewis. All three deliver memorable performances along with a strong supporting cast.
67
Depp is perfectly cast as Gilbert, by turns sullen, quiet, and caring. Depp's expressive face has long been the focal point of his talent, and he uses it to excellent effect here. It's DiCaprio as Gilbert's retarded brother Arnie who may well get the Oscar statuette. He's utterly, tragically convincing as the boy who wasn't expected to make it to ten, much less eighteen years old.
60
The script, by Peter Hedges from his novel, spins out a few too many eccentricities, and the direction, by Lasse Hallstrom (My Life as a Dog), meanders. But DiCaprio and Cates bring loopy authenticity to their roles, and Depp is, as always, a most effacing star.
60
The film is heavy on character and atmosphere and light on action, though what does happen is so bizarre as to verge on the ridiculous.
40
What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a tad too precious. One of those movies that wants to address life's quaint wackinesses, it's full of characters who are quirky, lonely, bizarre or retarded. There's something intensely earnest about the project. But there's something equally manufactured, starting with the casting of Johnny Depp and Juliette Lewis.
Jan 1, 2025
8
Crazy what DiCaprio was already in young age capable of. Excellent movie. Very good to watch.
Jan 8, 2022
8
This is a surprisingly touching film about a dysfunctional rural American family, with some pretty quirky characters and a number of now big name actors, including Johnny Depp as the titular character, Gilbert, and carer for the disabled brother, Arnie, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis who plays Becky and John C. Reilly (of Stan & Ollie fame etc.), who plays 'Tucker Van Dyke' (a local). I also recognised Mary Steenburgen, as Better Carver - she may be more well known as the mother in the short lived US show 'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist'. At first this film seemed no more than ok but by the end, I thought it had become really rather poignant. Its a bit hard to review in depth, without giving away spoilers but I'd say its a good film in terms of depicting how difficult teenage carers may find things, when having to look after disabled siblings and parents. There is a sad side to it and there are some mildly amusing moments too. All in all, its a fairly thoughtful watch, one I'd recommend if your interested in the story or particularly keen on the cast then I'd say it's worth seeing, yes. I certainly can't say I've seen Leonardo DiCaprio in quite such a similar role before, certainly.
Dec 17, 2021
8
I liked this movie much more than I thought I would, the plot is deceptively simple for how much is going on with the characters. I was also very surprised when I found out Leo was playing the autistic child, you would think it would be hilarious but surprisingly he gives a great performance along with Johnny Depp and the rest of the supporting cast. It does drag a bit towards the end but in general the movie is pretty solid.
Apr 14, 2019
6
Quirky drama with good performances and a quite compelling story. Very melancholic.
Jan 20, 2023
4
The movie is quite entertaining but I absolutely dislike how they portrayed the mother figure. It is very insensitive toward overweight people. They treated her like a zoo animal up for show and I feel that to be very unrealistic especially now in day’s.
Production Company:
- Paramount Pictures
Release Date:Mar 4, 1994
Duration:1 h 58 m
Rating:PG-13
Tagline:Arnie knows a secret. His big brother Gilbert is the greatest person on the planet.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Nomination
Golden Globes, USA
• 1 Nomination
Awards Circuit Community Awards
• 3 Nominations
