Helpful Score: 4
The movie was good but as usual, it did not touch the sheer genius of the novel on which it was based. Peter Hedges knows just how to portray small town life in its tragicomic abundance. The story is completely honest. Nothing is held back. It's part love story, part life story, and really delves deep into the emptiness of Gilbert trying to find himself in the small void known as Endora, Iowa. Gilbert Grape lives with his morbidly obese mother, retarded brother, and his two sisters: one a spinster, the other an obnoxious prepubescent teen. He works as a bagger at a local market and is having an affair with a woman twice his age. The entire story is based around the upcoming 18th birthday of his "retarded" brother that no one thought would live past the age of 10. With these characters and then some, Peter Hedges has created the most tantalizing story about small town American life and how it can be survived...Highly and strongly recommended!
Helpful Score: 3
Gilbert is such a personable protagonist... he looks at everyone in his world with as much acceptance as he can. The story is told with a lot of humor (not all of it transferred to the big screen), charm, and thoughtfulness.
Helpful Score: 2
I thought the movie was good, the book is WONDERFUL! You will laugh and cry, and perhaps see a little of yourself, your family, or your friends in the story. Vivid descriptions of life in a small town as seen through the eyes of Gilbert Grape.
Helpful Score: 1
Having grown up in a small town, I really could relate and appreciate Gilbert's dilemmas. Every small town has its own Grapes...
Such a great book! One of my favorates by far! You can really relate to Gilbert, and you feel like you're really part of his family. The movie was great, but after reading the book, the movie is just not descriptive enough. I highly reccomend this book!
Helpful Score: 1
I had always heard this was a "cult classic" and it lives up to the hype. What's Eating Gilbert Grape is hilarious and yet thought provoking. I highly recommend it!
