Overview
A poignant exploration of love, family, and self-discovery in a small town.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- tender
- wistful
- melancholic
- quiet evening
- reflective weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the tender atmosphere and especially the emotionally vivid performances by Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, while noting the story's sentimentality and predictability.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Gilbert's low-wage life and future are constrained by caring for Arnie and managing the needs of the Grape household.
Endora is a declining one-street town where Gilbert works at a slowly dying convenience store and struggles to imagine escape.
The film presents Bonnie's depression, Arnie's condition, and the siblings' conflicts through tenderness and self-awareness.
Becky's arrival gives Gilbert new feelings, thoughts, and hope while she waits in town with her grandmother.
Films like What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and why
The Spitfire Grill
Shared tender family drama, small-town setting, caregiving responsibilities, and emotionally restrained coming-of-age perspective.
The Glass Menagerie
Shared dysfunctional family dynamics, working-class milieu, compassionate tone, and emphasis on difficult emotional bonds.
The Last Picture Show
Shared intimate coming-of-age drama, youthful longing, family pressure, and wistful small-town atmosphere.
Movie Details
- Director
- Lasse Hallström
- Release Date
- 1993-12-17
- Runtime
- 118 min
- Rating
- 7.7 / 10 (4395)
Cast
- Johnny Depp
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Juliette Lewis
- Mary Steenburgen
- Darlene Cates
- Laura Harrington
- Mary Kate Schellhardt
- Kevin Tighe
- John C. Reilly
- Crispin Glover
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is What's Eating Gilbert Grape about?
- A tender small-town coming-of-age drama about a young caregiver whose devotion to his family collides with a sudden glimpse of freedom.
- What is What's Eating Gilbert Grape like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of What's Eating Gilbert Grape as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is What's Eating Gilbert Grape violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
- What did critics think of What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
- Critics broadly praised the tender atmosphere and especially the emotionally vivid performances by Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, while noting the story's sentimentality and predictability.
- Which films are like What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
- Films with a similar feel include The Spitfire Grill, The Glass Menagerie, and The Last Picture Show.
- How long is What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
- What's Eating Gilbert Grape runs 118 minutes.
- Where can I watch What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
- In United States, What's Eating Gilbert Grape is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
