What's Eating Gilbert Grape (PG) PRESENTED IN 35MM FILM

What's Eating Gilbert Grape (PG, 1993) Presented in 35mm Film by The Revival House Perth in partnership with RAC

In the small town of Endora, Iowa, Gilbert Grape (Johnny Depp) feels trapped by responsibility. He works at the local grocery store, cares for his morbidly obese mother Bonnie (Darlene Cates) who hasn't left the house in seven years, and watches over his intellectually disabled younger brother Arnie (Leonardo DiCaprio), who's about to turn 18 despite doctors saying he wouldn't live past 10. Gilbert's life is a monotonous routine of small-town predictability—until free-spirited Becky (Juliette Lewis) arrives in a broken-down camper with her grandmother. Becky sees beyond Gilbert's quiet desperation, awakening desires he's suppressed for years. But as Arnie's birthday approaches and family tensions escalate, Gilbert must choose between his duty to those who depend on him and his own chance at happiness, all while helping his family face the painful truths they've been avoiding.

Director Lasse Hallström crafts an intimate portrait of family dysfunction and small-town stagnation with remarkable sensitivity. The 1993 film features career-defining performances from its leads: Johnny Depp brings quiet frustration and tenderness to Gilbert, while 19-year-old Leonardo DiCaprio earned an Oscar nomination for his transformative portrayal of Arnie. Darlene Cates, a non-professional actress, brings heartbreaking dignity to Bonnie. Juliette Lewis provides the film's emotional oxygen as Becky, representing possibility and escape. Sven Nykvist's cinematography captures both Iowa's pastoral beauty and its suffocating smallness. The film balances dark comedy with genuine pathos, treating its characters with empathy rather than judgment. Björn Isfält's score underscores the emotional journey without overwhelming the understated performances.

Original format and audio experience of this film faithfully reproduced by The Revival House. Presented in 35mm film unless noted otherwise.

When: Saturday, June 20th at 2:00PM
Where: The Revival House at the Como Theatre
Rating: PG (Sexual references)

Hallström's tender drama features Depp's quiet strength and DiCaprio's Oscar-nominated breakthrough - experience this intimate masterpiece in 35mm film.

Presented by: The Revival House Perth and RAC