What's Eating Gilbert Grape Review

What's Eating Gilbert Grape


Release Date: 23rd June 1994 - Australia


Production Companies
Paramount Pictures


Genre: Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 113 minutes


Budget: $11,000,000

Box Office Gross: $10,032,765 (USA)


Plot Summary
Gilbert Grape is an average young man living in the small town of Endora who gets overburdened by looking after his mentally disabled brother Arnie and his morbidly obese mother following his father's death. However, when he catches the peek of a young female, his dull routine life begins to change for the better.


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
Cameron Finley - Doug Carver
Brady Coleman - Sheriff Jerry Farrel

Tim Simek - Deputy

Nicholas Stojanovich - Boy #1

Libby Villari - Waitress

Kay Bower - Police Secretary

Joe Stevens - Burger Barn Manager

Mona Lee Fultz - Bakery Worker

George Haynes - Dave

Daniel Gullahorn - Boy #2

David H. Kramer (Voice)

Crew
Executive Producer/Director -
Lasse Hallström
Based on the Novel "What's Eating

Gilbert Grape?"/Screenplay - Peter Hedges

Executive Producer - Alan C. Blomquist
Producers - Meir Teper,

Bertil Ohlsson and David Matalon
Production Designer - Bernt Capra
Art Director - John Myhre

Set Decorators - Gretchen Rau and

Jarrell Jay Knowles (Uncredited)
Costume Designer - Renee Ehrlich Kalfus
Director of Photography - Sven Nykvist

"B" Camera Operators - Chris Hayes

and Anastas N. Michos

First Assistant Photographer - Jeff Cronenweth

First Assistant Director - David B. Householter
Stunt Coordinator - Rusty McClennon
Special Effects Coordinator - Howard Jensen
Editor - Andrew Mondshein

Supervising Sound Editor - Michael Kirchberger

Sound Mixer - David Brownlow

Re-Recording Mixer - Lee Dichter

Foley Engineer - George A. Lara

Foley Mixer - Dominick Tavella

Music - Alan Parker and Björn Isfält


Awards

1994 Academy Awards
Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Leonard DiCaprio (Nominated)


Review

I was surprised to discover this movie in the last year of 2012. I have only seen the American Dad parody with squirrels. WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE is a rather unique and fascinating drama with a warm ambience. In reflecting on the cast and characters, I begin with Arnie Grape, who has an intellectual disability, which I presume is severe autism. At first, this character seemed unlikeable because he is so troublesome, but I grew to like him as he proved to be quite a handful for primary carer Gilbert. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio provides an extraordinary acting performance as Arnie. It was a breakthrough role that made him a star. And last, there is Johnny Depp, who does a great job as the titular character. I feel bad for Gilbert as he is overwhelmed with so much pressure that he is busy looking after his mother, who suffers from obesity and his brother Arnie.

WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE is a fabulous film that I enjoyed. I strongly recommend this classic to everyone that they have heard.

Star rating: (5/5) Best Movie Ever

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