For the most extended time, I heard so much about this movie just because it cast Leonardo DiCaprio’s career.
This movie brought Leonardo DiCaprio into the limelight at nineteen with his baby face and insane acting talent.
But what interests me is how this movie shows life in a small town. Set in rural Iowa with a family that is slipping apart.
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Bonnie’s mother is morbidly obese and can no longer take care of her kids, while our protagonist Gilbert has to take care of everyone, especially his mentally challenged brother Arnie.
Although dispersed by Paramount, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is an understated gem of the 1990s indie scene.
Like The Last Picture, it’s New Hollywood cousin; Grape is a small-town coming-of-age story with youthful characters longing for the wider world and whether they belong in it.
So, what’s eating Gilbert Grape? Gilbert is the main character played by Johnny Depp. Trapped in a sparse Iowan town, Gilbert works a humble day job at a failing grocer, caters to his obese mother’s every whim, and cares for his brother Arnie Leonard DiCaprio.
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This mentally disabled teenager is cute but also highly challenging.
You could be excused for believing it was the premise of a kitchen-sink drama, but What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a soft, funny film that throws a bright sheen on pitiful family dysfunction. Listen to the stunning score to get an idea of Grape’s wistful, healthy vibe.
Grape is a nostalgic time pill of its leading characters, Depp and DiCaprio. As Grape, Depp is carefree and unassuming, lending his character friendly patience as he is angry and under pressure from friends, family and colleagues.
However, DiCaprio’s great work as Arnie has stolen most of his scenes. It’s a studied and utterly convincing performance that ranks among Leo’s best works. This is one of the few parts in which DiCaprio truly disappears into his character.
Despite his passion as an actor, DiCaprio’s big celebrity proved distracting. Rather than embodying his role, his job has often felt like “Leonardo does.
Wall Street, the Old West, diamond mining in Africa, and more.” But in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Leo is very much Arnie, a dashing youthful man. With endless energy and a touching ability for forgiveness.
Also unique is the casting of Darlene Cates – a non-professional actress – as the grape matriarch ‘Momma’.
Screenwriter Peter Hedges saw Cates in an episode of Sally called ‘Too Heavy to Leave their House’, in which Cates described her obesity and how it made her bedridden.
Although she had no dramatic experience, Hedges offered her the role, which she took.
Cates showed a natural ratio of humour, shyness, and extra effortlessness. Much of the film’s positive mood comes at the cost of Cates’ character.
Yet, she always avoids cruelty, despite scenes where her big weight tilts their car’s suspension and an entire subplot in which her booming footsteps begin to drain the bases of their frail old farmhouse.
While it may seem tame or even corny to some, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape leaves a lasting impression with its quirky performances and bittersweet themes of hope, humility and perseverance.
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The Plot of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
Grape is a small-town coming-of-age story with youthful characters longing for the wider world and whether they belong in it.
So, what’s eating Gilbert Grape? Gilbert is the main character played by Johnny Depp. Trapped in a sparse Iowan town, Gilbert works a humble day job at a failing grocer, caters to his obese mother’s every whim, and cares for his brother Arnie Leonard DiCaprio.
This mentally disabled teenager is cute but also highly challenging.
You could be excused for believing it was the premise of a kitchen-sink drama, but What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a soft, funny film that throws a bright sheen on pitiful family dysfunction. Listen to the stunning score to get an idea of Grape’s wistful, healthy vibe.
Grape is a nostalgic time pill of its leading characters, Depp and DiCaprio. As Grape, Depp is carefree and unassuming, lending his character friendly patience as he is angry and under pressure from friends, family and colleagues.
Rather than embodying his role, his job has often felt like “Leonardo does.
The Cast of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape –
Johnny Depp played Gilbert Grape
Juliette Lewis played Rebecca
Leonardo DiCaprio played Arnold Grape
Mary Steenburgen played Elizabeth Carver
Darlene Cates played Bonnie Grape
Laura Harrington played Amy Grape
Mary Kate Schellhardt played Ellen Grape
Kevin Tighe played Kenneth Carver
John C. Reilly played Tucker Van Dyke
Crispin Glover played Robert McBurney
Penelope Branning played Becky’s Grandma
Libby Villari played Waitress
How to watch What’s Eating Gilbert Grape –
The movie What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is available on Amazon Prime.
Trailer of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape –
The trailer of the movie was cast in 1993. The trailer showed Grape is a small-town coming-of-age story with youthful characters longing for the wider world and whether they belong in it.
So, what’s eating Gilbert Grape? Gilbert is the main character played by Johnny Depp. Trapped in a sparse Iowan town, Gilbert works a humble day job at a failing grocer, caters to his obese mother’s every whim, and cares for his brother Arnie Leonard DiCaprio.
This mentally disabled teenager is cute but also highly challenging.
You could be excused for believing it was the premise of a kitchen-sink drama, but What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is a soft, funny film that throws a bright sheen on pitiful family dysfunction. Listen to the stunning score to get an idea of Grape’s wistful, healthy vibe.
Director of What’s Eating Gilbert Grape –
Lasse Hallstrom did the direction of the movie.