What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?

Year of release: 1993
Director: Lasse Hallstrom

Stars: Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, John C. Reilly

Plot: Gilbert (Depp) has care for his brother Arnie and his obese mother, which gets in the way when love walks into his life.

Why We Like It: A very simple story featuring some very early performances from the likes of DiCaprio, John C. Reilly and Juliette Lewis, but it’s Leo’s performance that seals it for me. He steals evey scene that he appears in and proves that he is more than just a movie star, he really is a naturally gifted, fine actor.

The Best Bit: SPOILERS! The climactic scenes where Arnie (DiCaprio) discovers that his mother, after making up the stairs, has passed.

Trivia: According to the mighty IMDB, Darlene Cates, the actress who plays Momma was discovered after appearing on The Sally Jessy Raphael Show.

The trailer for WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE?

GO FURTHER…

The main actors talk about their roles in the film, along with screenwriter Peter Hedges.