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What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

(1993, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A challenging look at the ups and downs of family.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A main character engages in an affair with a married character, there are some difficult scenes of overweight and mentally challenged characters being teased.
  • Violence:

    Some slapping and shouting scenes involving a boy with autism.
  • Sex:

    Female/male romance, some kissing, some suggestion of oral sex.
  • Language:

    A few bad words, said quietly but with a lot of anger.
  • Consumerism:

    Some fictionalized food vendors play a part in plot.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some beer drinking on screen, some smoking. There is a suggestion that a character uses food as a way of turning away from reality.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

Parents need to know that this movie is more provocative thematically than others starring Depp and DiCaprio. There's bullying, disrespect, emotionally tense family scenes, and humiliation. There are some scary scenes of family fights, mostly with Gilbert's younger brother Arnie who is mentally challenged. References are made to Gilbert's father, who killed himself. Gilbert is involved with a married woman for part of the film, and there are some scenes with sexual content. Alcohol and drug use are at a minimum. The issue of tolerance is a main theme throughout the movie, centering around Arnie and Gilbert's mother, who's overweight. Scenes of townspeople taunting Arnie and Mrs. Grape could be upsetting.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how Gilbert becomes the breadwinner and caretaker for the family after his father's death. How much sacrifice does family demand? How can individuals meet their own needs when they need to take care of their families? Gilbert's family faces a lot of negative attention from the town, and he struggles to remain loyal. What qualities are worth loving? Is there love in the Grape family?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Powerful and simple

    To achieve film success, a movie needs to connect with the viewer in a sense that this is actuality. "Gilbert Grape" is one of those rare movies that makes you realize the evils of the world, and where we can find happiness through the smallest things. This is a must-see for any movie buff.

  2. I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    I feel so sorry for Arnie. :(

    This film was really good. I loved the acting, most notably young Leonardo DiCaprio's. I feel so sorry for Arnie, he is always picked on and well, of course, he has a problem. People must see this film, although there are some mild-love scenes that younger audiences shouldn't see (but nudity) and Arnie gets slapped. But seriously, this film made me cry, but I think it's worth watching (and loving) :)

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Touching

    Ok let me start of by saying that i am twelve and i just clicked the wrong button. I loved this movie personally, i thought it had a good plot, great acting, and it really just all together was great. It is not for younger kids merely because there is some inappropriate stuff in it such as Gilbert has an affair with a married woman and they do "it" but it is quite suttle and is not anythign big to worry about. After it was over i cried at the end.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    So sweet! I cried

    This movie is really sweet. There is great acting all around, especially from Leonardo Decaprio and whoever it was that played the mom. It's about a guy who has a lot on his plate, including a messed up family and having an affair with a married person. There is one part that made me uncomfortable. 13+. It's really touching an it made me cry.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Good movie but kinda inappropriate....

    This is a good movie but it has some *inappropriate* things.....If you're like 13+ you should watch it.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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