**CAN YOU FORGIVE HIM??** What's Eating Gilbert Grape Reaction: FIRST TIME WATCHING (Johnny Depp) 

Do you forgive Gilbert??

the fact that Leo didnt win the oscar for this movie is a crime. he was tremendous. And Johnny just playing a "normal" character, has always being one of my faves, cause he wasnt as over the top as some of his characters are

Darlene Cates, the actress who played the mother of Gilbert and Arnie, passed away in 2017. Di Caprio said after her death and I quote: "Darlene was the best fictional mother I have ever worked with. Her charming personality and incredible talent will live on in the memories of those who knew her, and those who loved her work. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time"

As a caregiver to a disabled mother, I am in total understanding of Gilbert in this movie. There have been moments of pure frustration and feeling trapped and having no hope. I understand it ALLL!!!

I was blessed to count Darlene Cates (who played Mama) among my friends. She was an absolutely lovely human being. This movie experience was special to her. She told me that Leonardo DiCaprio sent her a few letters and gifts after he got super famous (like after Titanic). And she said Johnny Depp would pull her aside to ensure she was okay after his character said hurtful things to her character….. he wanted to make sure that Darlene the person knew she was cared about and supported. ❤ RIP, Darlene.

Leo should have gotten an Oscar for this. Hands down.

Yay I'm so glad you reacted to this. Not enough people react to this or comment on this movie. It is my favorite Johnny Depp movie. So underated

When this movie came out, because Leo wasn't really known, people were absolutely stunned to learn that he wasn't actually disabled. If I remember correctly, he was only 19 at the time of this film. There was no doubt in most people's minds that Leo was going to become a major talent. When you add his performance in this and his other early performances in This Boys Life and Basketball Diaries (scary good performance of drug addiction), his gift was just obvious from the start. You should consider reacting to those movies as well. Love your reactions; great job. :)

The exchange you mentioned between Gilbert and Mary Steenburgen's character right before she leaves is one of my favorites. You mentioned that you didn't quite get it, so here's my 2 cents. She says she wishes her boys would grow up to be like Gilbert because she knows what a decent and kind person he is. And I think he really doesn't suspect her of killing her husband. Then when Becky asks hi if he'll miss her, he says Yes and he means it, because he really does care about her on some level. Then Becky says, "Good" because she's glad that he is actually that kind of person who cares about this woman that he had an affair with, rather than that stereotypical guy that sleeps with a woman and doesn't care at all about her. That's just my opinion. Anyway, glad to see this gem of a movie get some attention--thanks!

This movie used to make me sob. My mom was a bigger lady and she passed when I was 8, so this movie hit me hard after she died.

This is one of my FAVORITE movies ever. Thank you for reacting to it. The scene where Gilbert leaves Arnie in the tub breaks my heart every time. 🥺 Also the woman who plays the momma was wonderful in this. I felt for her. 🥺 Another film with Johnny Depp I think you'll like is Benny & Joon. If you can please watch it. Anyways, keep up the great work!

There's many movies Johnny Depp made, but my two favorite movies are Edward Scissorhands and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. I use to watch Edward Scissorhands a lot during my childhood. It's one of those movies that stick out to me growing up and I also love this movie because it felt very real. Johnny Depp is one of those timeless actors such as Leonardo Dicaprio and Tom Hanks.

Hello, another great reaction. thank you. When this movie came out Oprah Winfrey had the cast on her show and both Johnny and Leo were there too. The lady that played their mother was not an actress. This was the only movie she was ever in I believe and they treated her so well. I would recommend Benny and Joon too. Same type of movie and I believe it was made right after this one. 😊

Oh, yeah. Arnie's portrayal is pretty spot on. I know people like Arnie in real life and his body language, speech patterns, reactions, and everything else were perfect. The complex dynamic with his family was also pretty spot on. They love him but it also takes a toll on everybody.

I have a little brother named Matthew who has a mental disability. He has moderate Down Syndrome. I'd say that while this movie portrays the struggle well, it portrays mainly the extreme side of raising someone with a disability. In my experience, at least, it's not always that 100% extreme struggle. There are good days, and there are bad days. Sometimes it's easier than other times. It all has its ups and downs. What this movie, I think, portrayed perfectly, however, are the sacrifices that everyone needed to make. Some sacrifices may seem smaller than others, but when it's a continuous way of life, it adds up over time and can become overwhelming and very damaging to a person. Personally, I know one of my bigger sacrifices was giving up moving to New York for college. I got accepted into NYU's theatre program and a great performing arts conservatory (AMDA), but I'm from New Orleans, and that's too far away from home. What if my parents needed me? What if Matthew needed me? My family never asked me to give New York up, but I did because I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if something happened back home and I couldn't do anything to help. So now I'm two hours away from home instead of across the country, still performing and still in college, just trying to make the best out of my situation. But I'll say one more thing, I love Matthew more than anything, and I'd give up everything for him with a smile on my face because he is more important to me than anything else in this world. And I think that's how Gilbert felt too.

This is indeed based on a book, of the same name, by Peter Hedges. Leo was 19 when this came out in 1993. He and I are the same age. I was so impressed by him here. It’s such a touching film and how it touches on the dignity and the anguish of humanity. I grew up in a similar atmosphere so this will always touch my heart.

It’s not easy. Some people have the natural temperament, most don’t. I took care of my almost completely non verbal uncle for several years in my mid to late 20’s along with my family after our grandmother passed. I feel Gilbert’s struggle. I felt so much anxiety being responsible for him.

The only memory I have of this film is the mom dying, and Arnie trying to wake her up... and me sobbing. All you have to say is "Gilbert Grape," and my heart breaks all over again.

Amy had just as much responsibility as Gilbert did. She took care of Mama, she walked her to and from the bathroom, bathed her, cared for her personal needs. She worked and cared for the household and Ellen as well. It was a difficult life for them all.

Such an underrated movie! More people need to see it.

This movie and “Benny and Joon” are two of my favorites of Johnny Depp. It would be so awesome if you reacted to that. Another good Johnny Depp movie is “From Hell” it’s about the Jack the Ripper murders.

I’m seriously surprised that there aren’t more reactions to this movie, which is one of the reasons I’m so excited when I see a reactor I watch put out a video like this. More people need to watch it.

Early Johnny Depp movies are among some of my faves. Leo was astonishing in this.

This movie always resonates with me because we lived in a tiny west Texas town growing up. And one of our neighbors had a son in his teens that was severely mentally challenged. I was little when we moved away. I was 11, but for years I would see him wandering around in the empty lot between our houses (like Arnie he would sneak away without anyone noticing) I liked him way more than his brother Bobby, who was around my age, but mean as hell. I would go play with the mentally challenged brother in the field cuz he and I both had Kermit the Frog dolls. He always brought his with him. I would grab mine and we would laugh while we made them say nonsense and toss them in the air. At times it was kinda scary because he was a beanstalk of kid and he had no clue how strong he could be. But he was so sweet and happy just like Arnie. Which was saying a lot cuz his home life looked awful. At least from the eyes of this little girl. I wish I could remember his name. It's been 30 years and I have never set foot in that town since.

This film is brilliant. The complexity of the characters, the sound design, even the cinematography. Like, the wide isolated shots of the house...shows how alone the family is. Its beautiful.

I literally stopped swimming in my pool to watch this, such a great movie. Leonardo DiCaprio was phenomenal in this movie

You go through the Johnny Depp filmography.👍 Nice! Everybody loves Johnny.

This is one of my favorite movies... so underrated and Leo KILLED IT in his role

When you first saw the mom I'm so so so glad and happy that you didn't judge her or laugh about her. You're such a pure and kind person.

I absolutely love Mary Steenburgen, but I SO HATED her character in this movie. Don't get me wrong, she played the part SO PERFECTLY.

This movie is literally my favorite movie everrr like leo and Jonny literally ate uppp in this movie they are literally my favorite actors and let me say they are so attractive it’s unbelievable 😖❤️🛐

This is a great movie. I remember my parents renting this vhs from blockbuster. This shows Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio's acting skills. I also never realized Crispin Glover is in this movie.

Benny and Joon is another powerful one. Please react to that one!

This was actually the first Johnny Depp movie I ever watched. My mom showed it to me when I was pretty young and told me that she thought Johnny looked a lot like my dad, which is true, they do look very similar especially back then but now still.

14:11 I personally think he doesn’t want Arnie to say goodbye because goodbye sounds like a forever thing and the doctor said he could go at any point. When you have someone who’s facing death in a way you don’t want them to say stuff like that hence why Gilbert said “goodbye is for when you’re going away, we’re not going anywhere” not sm bc of the town but bc Arnie isn’t dying.

Fun fact: Leonardo DiCaprio was going to play in Hocus Pocus as Max Dennison but dropped out to play in this movie instead

Leo was up for an Oscar for his performance. he went and spent time in a home with disabled children for a while to learn about everything that they did, and said, so he would be prepared. as for Johnny Depp, he's the nicest celebrity in Hollywood and several times in the film he had to say how fat his mother was, and like every he apologize because it killed him to say those things. The book is amazing, you should read it. Ellen's character is absolutely the worst. . She would say things like " you are just mad you can't sleep with me" things like that. Amy is wonderful. Just a great book!

one of my fav films of all time, another depp movie I love is Benny and Joon another one you should check out

31:42 that rage you see is Gilbert who had realized that despite her looks, she was still his mother who was in the end trying to make the effort before she unfortunately passed. And now, Gilbert finally understood that she was always his mother and that he was sick and tired of being mocked, made fun off and being treated horribly by the puplic.

THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS MOVIE!!! This is one of his best ❤️❤️❤️

well when arnie's sister was trying to keep arnie from climing if she had left him and try to get help he would have climbed up and been arrested she's still a teenager so you don't really know how to handle this type of situation

This was imo Leo’s best role.

This movie hits very close for me because I’ve been at a point in my life where I’ve felt like Gilbert. Just completely overwhelmed with burdens I didn’t ask for. I felt that same resentment towards my mom because just like Gilbert’s, my mom had a moment where she checked out due to depression. I was stuck as my grandmas primary caregiver at the time because she had dementia and she lived with us. I was also the only one in the house who ever gave a damn to do chores. So much anger until I got older and learned to empathize with my moms situation at that point in her life. Nobody’s perfect and everyone makes mistakes. We’re all human at the end of the day

I always felt like the kids were lucky because the mom had the only disability that kept them tied to one spot, Arnie's disability is extremely mild. It was cool to see a realistic movie at the time though. edit: I decided to share my personal experience with disabilities after you said to, at the end of the video. I was adopted into my family when I was 6 months old. My family had a 6 year old with no disability and a 4 year old with profound mental disability and moderate physical disability. Then when I was 8, my mother gave birth to my younger sister, who had the same disabilities, plus seizures. I'm 46 years old now, and care for my two sisters and elderly parents. Depression and anxiety were an every day struggle for my parents. There was very little actual ridicule of my sisters, but I noticed that people had (and still have) a hard time seeing them as individuals with personalities. I think that because they are wheelchair bound and nonverbal, it makes it easier to see them as "angels" and "sweethearts"...and feel good about being nice to them, without actually getting to know them. It's not easy being a sibling without disabilities either, but that wasn't something you discussed growing up, you just know you are the caretaker.

when she asked are you going to miss her.....and Gilbert said yeah she was happy because of his unfiltered honesty....his other interest is no longer an obstacle but she was searching for reassurance

My favourite movie. I always watch it with my nan who has dementia, I’m living with her as her carer, she’s my true mum and raised me. The ending always leaves me crying, can’t imagine a world without her.

I had watched this movie back in the early 2000s at some point when I went through a big JD phase, but hadn't remembered it well, and was inspired by this reaction to rewatch it - I don't think I'd fully appreciated how good it is when I was younger

The stress of life and the desire for something more I think we can all relate to Gilbert in someway.

Great underrated movie, The Beach is a great Leo DiCaprio movie that’s also very underrated and doesn’t get talked about enough

That's odd, I was thinking about this movie a lot yesterday and I just recently started watching your channel. What a happy coincidence. "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is a phenomenal film and gave me even more appreciation for Johnny Depp, having been a huge fan since "Cry Baby". This is the one movie that can make me feel better when I'm going through a tough time. It has all the emotions, and is a cathartic journey. Leo Dicaprio had appeared in the tv sitcom "Growing Pains" and the dud "Critters 3" before this, at the age of 17. (The first 2 Critters are excellent btw).

Oh, what a lovely surprise! Will this be up on Patreon? I must have missed it. I’ve been meaning to watch the earlier works of Dicaprio…”The Basketball Diaries” is another one. I’m also excited to see Depp in this. I know I’m in the minority, but I much prefer it when he plays it straight. It’s the same with Helena Bonham Carter…I loved her in “A room with a view”, before her more theatrical roles. Anyway, I hope your copyright issues have resolved and congrats in advance on the 20k! (I’m rounding up cause it’s inevitable haha). And you really deserve it too👌

I agree with everything you said, as the oldest sibling I've had to sacrifice where it shouldn't have been. This is a go to when I'm in my feelings about my parentification through the years.

I work with people with developmental disabilities. I can't say any of the people I've worked with have acted like Arnie, but there's such a variety of symptoms and behaviors that it's not surprising. His performance rang pretty true to me.

What's crazy to me is Johnny Depp is 30 in this movie lol. He looks so young.

26:00 you kinda have to go through something like that and realize how being honest there was the right thing to do for so many reasons

For more Depp I recommend Benny & Joon.

She's responsible, but he participated.

Gilbert was not just brother, but parent to Arnie. The burden can seem overwhelming and sometimes people crack under it.

You should have seen the interviews from Darlene Cates on how Johnny treated her and would apologize for things he had to say to her/her character after the shoots. How he always made sure, even though her son was on set, that she had everything she needed. She talked about his twisted sense of humor and that he was the kindest person she ever met. He talked about size not being an issue and spoke on her eyes. Said she was beautiful in and out. Said she showed a pic of when she was young and she was a knockout and still was in his eyes.

Leo was robbed of an Oscar

Great reaction!

I remember going to see this movie and was astonished by Leo's performance. I truly felt he deserved the Oscar for BSA in that role. I can't remember who won though. The film had layers to it and speaking as someone who fell into a Caretakers role many times, it's so very hard some days to do. My Mom had at one point what's known as a- Thyroid Storm and she ended up in PCU for a week, and myself as well as my sisters would go stay at the hospital after they got off work, extended family would go until they got there. And I most nights was the one who'd stay overnight. I rarely was able to get much sleep while there. I'd have to wait until I got home, got our pets taken care of then crash for a few hours. When it came time she was able to come home, the Dr's wouldn't let her go home without someone being there to help, and that was me. A couple of yrs later, she was diagnosed with early Dementia. 😕 I fully understand GG/JD's just feeling pushed way way too far when he was so caught up in being angry at Arnie. I in a sense had a couple of those moments myself. You said you had some experience with Dementia, then you know they can have moments of rage and I being her main caregiver had some not so nice situations from my Mother in that. Anyways, it'll be 10 yrs ago that she was granted her peace and passed on about 10 days after my B'day of all things. I was glad that GG and Arnie were able to get out of that town and explore the bigger World. 🤗

He still was nominated and won other awards for the film. I judge each film for its own qualities. As a person with epilepsy I could relate to Gilbert and Arnie.

This is such an underrated gem, thanks for reacting to it man

Such an excellent reaction. You showed your compassion and understanding with the complexity of a family.

Such a good film.Very deep and real.I was really young when I saw this for the first time,and still have the same emotional feelings.

I have never had to take care of people like Arnie at home, but I have to do it as a day job. Some patients are similar to Arnie, and Gilbert being as kind as possible to Arnie is very real. It's just the story is building up all the pressure Gilbert is under and he made the mistake of taking it out on his brother. It's a very uncomfortable scene, but the performance was done so well, it seemed so real.

I've watched loads of your reactions but had no idea till today that you had done this one. I'm so glad you did as it's a movie I've always admired and I've wished someone would react to it. Leo's performance was phenomenal, but the whole thing was beautifully crafted.

Everyone in this was so good, but I used to be a special education teacher and how Leo played that character with every nuance of a mentally disabled child was perfect and so real. Another early Leonardo movie where he is fabulous, This Boy's Life (1993).

LOVED this reaction! It is an exceptional film in my opinion. Very raw, and heartfelt. If you are looking for more Depp, I recommend Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Dicaprio in the Basketball Diaries.

This is my first time seeing your channel. I very much enjoyed this reaction. Thank you for that sweet and genuine commentary on this movie. One of my favorites. Subbed.

Excellent review!! Love your honesty and passion,keep up the good work,THOR!

This movie is one of my favorite movies. One of the very first movies I saw Johnny in. Honestly you said everything I want to say myself about this movie. The way they represent mental health, and the importance of family- but not shying away from showing the horrors of it as well. They could have made a mockery of their mother being obese but they chose to not make it funny, or make the children bitter towards caring for her. She was depicted as a very caring mother despite her mental health issues. Leo played Arnie perfectly. Usually I’m a little nervous when it comes to actors portraying a character with a mental disability because they either try too hard or they don’t put enough effort into it. It’s usually the butt of every joke and exaggerated to the point of cringy and embarrassing. Leo really nailed it though, if I wasn’t familiar with the actor I would have been completely convinced he wasn’t acting. I agree it was so well written, so well paced, and the characters were easy to form an emotional connection to despite their many flaws. Arnie really reminded me of this kid I met in middle school years ago, I can’t tell you exactly what he was dealing with, but i remember him just being one of the nicest people I’ve ever talked to and he would always make me smile. 😄

One of the best movies ever made. Leo was amazing in this. The end always gets me

Thank you for doing this movie. Some of us are really excited for movies that are not as popular to do. I get it, views are important and necessary but I will always appreciate these choices thrown into the popular. I’m still waiting for someone to react to The Fisher King, Eves Bayou, Nobody’s Fool, Ulee’s Gold….there are so many great movies out there that are less mainstream.

Leo is truly amazing in this role. Its the first movie i saw him in and it blew me away. johnnyy is great in this too showing how hard it can be when everything is put on his shoulders when he himself is young yet his life is one of strain. Believe me its really hard being in this situation. I know its a very shocking scene when he hits arnie but u see the build up.

You Must watch 'The Basketball Diaries' and 'This Boys Life', 2 amazing pre-Titanic/pre-uber famous young Leo movies. Both are Heavy, but he is truly amazing in them.

My oldest son is similar to Arnie. It truly is a long road day in and day out. Enjoyed your review. Thank you!

I hope Benny & Joon is on the to-do list.

Always loved this one

I love this movie. You should check out Benny and Joon. It is my favorite early Johnny Depp movie.

Prolly my very favorite Johnny movie he was amazing in this role and Leo my god we need another team up of these two there magic together .

You gotta give 'Benny and Joon' a try for an even better Depp performance

It was from the moment Leo did this movie that I knew he deserved an Oscar and that he was going to Do great things.

Oh wow this is a great film, I haven't seen it in a long time.

i saw that after this movie some people thought Leo was actually mentally disabled because his acting was phenomenal in this so when they met him they were shocked

Yay you reacted to this :) I love this. Ive watched this soooo many times for some reason I always get something new from it.Leo and Johnny are so great in this they bounce off each other so well.The vulnerability and portrayed struggle from Johnny is so effortless so brilliant.The whole cast is great."21 Jump St and this is where I fell in love with Johnny ( well in lots of his films so many greats haha) its such a great film.

Great choice!

Omg! One of my favorite movies what a treat!

I remember watching it in the 90’s as a kid and the thought of a woman being so big that they “had to” leave her in the house stuck with me for life! Btw you have very pretty eyes 👀

What a wonderful reaction ❤ Thk you.

I love how you’re doing all this Johnny content 💜💜💜

Hey Thor. I stumbled upon your channel last week. And I just love your reactions, cause you make me smile and laugh along with you, so I ofcourse subbed you. (your reaction to the movie '9' and The Green Mile, won me over as your sub, and the fact that you are now watching/ reacting to - What's Eating Gilbert Grape, I have watched that movie so many times) anyways thank you for your great content. ^^ Greetings from Denmark ^^

I'm so glad you watched this! One of my faves, definitely top 10.

I love that you reacted to this. And I love that you’re reacting to movies I love as well. This movie is a big part of my childhood!! My sister is 16 and has autism and this movie really shows the struggles about having a loved one with a mental disability. Even if my sister had gotten bullied for her autism, having autism isn’t always a bad thing. And I love teaching my sister to always be herself and be happy for who she is. At times she comes home from school in bad moods because something happened and when I jokingly ask her if I need to beat someone up, she tries to stop me haha 😂 it makes her feel better about the situation. I really love this movie a lot, and so glad you reacted to it!! ❤️❤️ you should react to Benny & Joon!!

How cool is it that U hav Leo..Capt Jack Sparrow/Johnny Depp...Juliet Lewis (the daughter from XMas Vacation)..two characters from Step Bros (“Dale”- John C Reily..& Nancy/Step Mom - Mary Steinbergen...all in the same movie 🎥 Vry cool indeed

This is my favorite movie movie and I just realized I watch it every ten year's. 😅

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. No matter how many times I see it, still makes me cry. Thank you for this.💜

It's actually one of my favorite moovie of all time it is so good

Leo should have won oscar that year.He is incredibly talented.I prefer this to Titanic which he became super duper