Parents' Guide to

What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

By Ellen Twadell, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

'90s drama about dysfunctional family has mature themes.

Movie PG-13 1993 118 minutes
What's Eating Gilbert Grape? Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 12+

Based on 8 parent reviews

wonder dove
wonder dove Adult
November 8, 2012
age 13+

Loved it since a kid!

My sister introduced me to this movie when we were young, around the first time it came out on video (nothing much disturbed me - I could handle almost any film). I loved it, even though it deals with a lot of adult situations throughout. There is just something so lovable about the story. Probably one of the very best movies that deals with dysfunctional families and it's very realistic! Gilbert (Johnny Depp) is troubled and confused, after the death of his father and his mother giving up on life and becoming terribly obese, it leaves Gilbert the man of the house. Raising his sisters and autistic brother (Leonardo DiCaprio), he deals with so many responsibilities that soon drives him up the wall. Meeting new girl Becky, and eventually falling in love, she helps to shape his life back to normal. This film is very depressing, it's very sad and emotional. It deals with a lot of death including suicide. There is some violence (slapping an autistic boy, a scene of pulling his hair and dragging him on the ground. Yelling and arguing by family members, an obese woman is humiliated and talked about.) Sexual content includes an affair with an older married woman (a heavy making out scene on a kitchen table, she tells him to come by her place a couple times, she also tells him she wants to "play", oral sex is implied and briefly shown - a woman goes down on Gilbert - no nudity, innocent kissing by a couple). Language is sometimes angry and hurtful, no "F" words though. Gilbert is embarrassed by his mother and at one point calls her a beach whale. Overall, the whole story is an amazing look at life and dealing with stress, loneliness and self destruction. Have to say that Leonardo's performance is simply incredible!!!!! Sit near a kleenex box for this one, there are many emotional scenes!! Mature kids only!!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
2 people found this helpful.
Ambie81
Ambie81 Adult
July 14, 2020
age 13+

What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.

It’s a raw look at what happens within a household behind the scenes where all pretenses are dropped as each family member is absorbed in only themself. I felt Leonardo DiCaprio gave a Grammy worth performance. Personally I don’t feel that there is a movie out there to include Jonny Depp in it , that isn’t a phenomenal movie. He is a flawless actor no matter what role he is cast in.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE is a strange and touching take on family life. Gilbert (Johnny Depp) lives in a small town in Iowa with his family, including his housebound mother (Darlene Cates) and his mentally challenged brother, Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio). Gilbert is the only one with a job and has the additional worry of caring for Arnie, who loves to climb the town water tower. When the well-traveled Becky (Juliette Lewis) arrives in town for a short stay, Gilbert starts to dream about leaving his town and his worries, which include an ill-advised affair with a married woman. Throughout the film, Gilbert is torn between his own wishes and his loyalty to his family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8):
Kids say (37):

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is sometimes hard to watch, but well worth it. There are some difficult scenes dealing with hard-hearted outsiders teasing the Grape family, and some scary ones when Gilbert loses his temper with Arnie. But there are also moments of beauty and compassion, and an offbeat sense of humor throughout. A wonderful cast brings the characters to life. Watching this movie will remind viewers of Depp's talent and DiCaprio's range. The film is also a visual treat, with lush sweeps of Iowa farm country serving as a backdrop for the drama.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

  • For far too long in movies and TV, overweight people were presented as little more than fat-shaming punchlines. How is this move different in its portrayal of a morbidly-obese woman? How does the movie attempt to connect her obesity to depression?

  • Does this movie seem like a realistic depiction of small-town life in a rural Midwestern state? Why or why not?

  • 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?

Movie Details

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