What's Eating Gilbert Grape? (PG-13, 1993)
common sense media says
A challenging look at the ups and downs of family.
parents & educators say
- 67% say sexual content is an issue
- 67% say there are positive role models
What parents need to know
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.
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.
More on What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
Review It
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
- 67% say sexual content is an issue
- 67% say there are positive role models
- 33% say there are positive messages
- 33% say language is an issue
Most useful reviews by all members
HenryRedJeanz
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
A perfect film.
This film is absolutely incredible. There are no words to describe how true and beautiful this film is! It has amazing performances from Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis and Mary Steenburgen!! The whole thing is just an amazingly heartwarming and joyful experience. The rolemodels are all pretty good except an autistic boy is slapped, there is some teasing and a man has an affair with an older married woman. Mature 13 year olds :)
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Iooba kitty
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Cute and well made
SUCH a cute movie!!
good message, (it might make you cry) and sweet characters.
some swearing: F**k (finger) being the worst. Harsh yelling. Some "romantic" parts, (easy to fast-forward)!! but all together a good movie to watch as a family ( with older kids ).
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BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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.
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shadowexile6
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
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.
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AmeliaKaderWood
adult
adult
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) :)
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moovieloover
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Fantastic
What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a story about a autistic kid who turns 18. Younger children- no. this is not a great movie for you to watch. It deals with mature things that you might not be comfortable.... But, If you're older like me, you realize that this movie is life, and you have to get over the fact that, yes, it is akward when Gilbert (Johnny) has an affair with a mother, but its life.
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Ladylollipop1
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Needs a mature audience.
Let me make it clear i ADORE this film! It also hasn't got too much adult content but the overall film requires a very mature person to understand the film and why arnie is diffrent and be prepared to have to explain what mental retardation is and also suicide and obesity. But overall it is an uplifting film which made me cry because i liked it so much.
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dancingwithmyself
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
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.
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johnnydepp
adult
adult
PUPPY IS YUM
GILBERT IS REALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wait maybe because hes johnny depp.........................
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ladykinky
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
It made my "favorites list":]
I personally love movies about brothers (ex: Letters to God) so to me this movie was really touching :] I loved Leo and Johnny's scenes together they were so adorable! <3
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horselover326
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
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.
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LeoLuv99
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
Good acting! Johnny Depps character does kiss a married woman who is cheating on her husband. Gilbert does hit Arnie a phew times. Arnie is mentally- disabled child...
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screen man
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
johnny and leonardo what more could you want
this film is a breakthrough for johnny deep it reveals both sadness and hope for the family there are a few moments when gilbert hits arny but this still is a landmark of a film your child will love it
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Winifred
parent
parent
Much to discuss - for older kids
I think this is an excellent film to discuss. Gilbert loves his family and can't stand them at the same time - like real life?? Other commenters talk about an "affair" with Mrs Carver but I see it as more abuse which Gilbert gets hit with. (Imagine if it was Mr Carver and one of the Grape sisters 'having an affair'!).
There is also all the symbolism of the big supermarket dominating and the new Burger Barn providing what the family provided before.
I love this film. It is very well done.
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TacoBall
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Incredible dramedy for mature younger teens and up
This movie is one of my all-time favorites. It is beautifully done, the story is unusual and not as predictable as you'd think, and the characters are deep and very well acted (especially DiCaprio as Arnie). The mood is on the "gloomy and dysfunctional" side, but there are fresh, funny parts sprinkled throughout, and themes include love and the importance of family. And it's all done in such a way that the viewer feels close to the characters and while being able to sympathize with many of them, never feels dragged down by them or exceedingly sorry for them. My sister watched this when she was 11, but in my opinion it isn't appropriate for kids that age. There is some implied sex/sex references and the main character has an affair with a creepy-seeming woman, besides, the storyline is a bit too mature for tweens. Depending on their maturity level, I say this movie is OFF for kids 11 and under, PAUSE for kids 12-14, and not just ON but a must-watch for movie fans 15-16 and up.
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KatieDiCaprio
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
Brilliant - absolutely brilliant.
Brilliant. Fantastic plot, fantastic actors. A great family movie but can be upsetting in some areas for example it is implied that their father commited suicide and also tells you about a boy who ran away from home. It is a very good movie and made me cry at the end. I advise everyone to see it. DiCaprio portrays a mentally handicapped child perfect.
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