Mette Serup 1.D.
English
03/10 – 2006.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape?
Gilbert Grape lives in the small town of Endora with his family, which isn't like any other nuclear family. His very obese mother, Bonnie, hasn't left the house since her husband committed suicide in their basement 7 years ago. She spends most of her time on the sofa eating chips and watching television. Because of the mother's state Gilbert has to take the responsibility for repairing the old house and look after his younger siblings. Particularly the youngest brother, Arnie, who is mentally challenged. At the beginning of the film we follow the family preparing for Arnie's 18th birthday - a few days before the party (misplaced comma) Becky and her grandmother arrive at the town in their house trailer. When Gilbert first sees Becky he starts to rethink his life and all of a sudden everything changes for Gilbert. He drops contact with his mistress, whose husband, very mysteriously, dies shortly after. The Lampson's Grocery where Gilbert works gets a new rival The Food Land. To make matters worse Gilbert's chaotical family life threatens the romance between Gilbert and the bride of his choice: Becky. And in addition to that Becky and her grandmother won't give up their plans for travelling, so they continue their journey shortly after Arnie’s successful birthday party. The following week the mother dies in her bed as a result of her obesity. In fear of making a joke out of their mother the children burn down the house, so they won't have to call a crane to take their mother to the church. The end of the movie is a reunion of Gilbert and Becky.