
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) is a deeply moving drama that explores the weight of family responsibility, the beauty of small-town life, and the struggle to find freedom in the face of overwhelming duty. With unforgettable performances by Johnny Depp and a breakout role for Leonardo DiCaprio, the film has become a modern classic of emotional storytelling.
Do you remember every touching moment, heartfelt conversation, and painful truth in this quiet masterpiece? Take this 10-question trivia challenge to test your knowledge of one of the most powerful dramas of the ’90s.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the role of Gilbert Grape in the film?
Correct Answer: Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp stars as Gilbert Grape, a young man burdened by responsibility in a quiet, rural town. His understated, sensitive performance captures Gilbert’s inner conflict — caught between caring for his family and longing for a life of his own. Depp brings empathy and restraint to a role that could have easily been overwhelmed by melodrama.
- What is the name of Gilbert’s mentally impaired younger brother?
Correct Answer: Arnie
Arnie Grape is Gilbert’s younger brother, whose developmental disability demands constant supervision and care. His unpredictable behavior challenges the family’s stability, but he is also the heart of the story — a symbol of innocence, vulnerability, and unconditional love.
- Which actor received critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination for portraying Arnie?
Correct Answer: Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio was just 19 when he gave a stunning performance as Arnie Grape, earning his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His portrayal is raw, believable, and deeply respectful, avoiding caricature and bringing authenticity to a difficult role. This performance launched DiCaprio into critical acclaim and lasting stardom.
- What condition does Arnie have in the film?
Correct Answer: Developmental disability
Though the film never labels Arnie’s condition precisely, he is described as having a developmental disability. The focus is less on diagnosis and more on how his behavior shapes the dynamics of the Grape family and the way he is cared for with a mix of frustration, love, and protectiveness.
- What is the name of the town where the story takes place?
Correct Answer: Endora
The fictional town of Endora, Iowa, is the backdrop for the film’s slow, quiet pace — a place where time seems to stand still. The setting reinforces themes of stagnation, tradition, and the longing to break free. Endora becomes a character itself, shaping the lives of everyone who stays.
- What is the main responsibility Gilbert has in his family?
Correct Answer: Caring for Arnie and supporting his household
Gilbert is the backbone of his family, especially after the death of his father. He takes care of Arnie, supports his reclusive and obese mother Bonnie, and helps raise his two sisters. His devotion is noble but exhausting, and it becomes clear that Gilbert is emotionally stuck — unable to live his own life while his family leans so heavily on him.
- Who is Bonnie Grape?
Correct Answer: Gilbert’s morbidly obese mother
Bonnie Grape, portrayed by Darlene Cates in a powerful debut performance, is a once-vibrant woman who has become housebound due to depression and obesity. Her presence looms large — both literally and emotionally — as a source of guilt, comfort, and pain for Gilbert. Her eventual death is heartbreaking, but also symbolic of change and release for the Grape family.
- What is the name of the free-spirited girl Gilbert falls in love with?
Correct Answer: Becky
Becky, played by Juliette Lewis, is a traveler whose RV breaks down in Endora. Her presence brings warmth, perspective, and a sense of possibility to Gilbert’s life. She sees beauty in what others overlook and inspires Gilbert to consider a future outside of his family obligations — to hope for something more.
- What happens to Bonnie Grape toward the end of the film?
Correct Answer: She dies peacefully in her sleep
Bonnie’s death is quiet, unceremonious, and deeply emotional. The children, wanting to protect her dignity, choose to burn the house down rather than have her body removed by crane, as the town would likely do. It’s a heartbreaking but deeply human moment — filled with love, loss, and release.
- What theme is central to What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
Correct Answer: Family obligation, emotional isolation, and personal growth
The film explores the quiet desperation of small-town life, the weight of responsibility, and the yearning for connection. Gilbert’s journey is one of subtle transformation — learning that caring for others doesn’t mean sacrificing your entire self. At its core, the film is about love, duty, and the courage it takes to imagine a different life.