Johnny Depp Admits He Found Beloved Classic “Really Miserable” to Film

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Johnny Depp recently shared that filming the 1993 movie What’s Eating Gilbert Grape was more challenging than people realize.

Years ago, while at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Johnny Depp talked about making the movie, calling it a difficult and gloomy time in his life.

He admitted the film was a difficult experience for him, though he couldn’t quite explain why. He described it as a rare moment that actors, in particular, should try to avoid.

I absolutely loved watching Johnny Depp as Gilbert Grape! He played this guy, about 25 years old, stuck working at a grocery store in this tiny Iowa town called Endora. It was really touching seeing how much he did for his mom, who had serious health problems, and for his younger brother Arnie – Leonardo DiCaprio did an amazing job playing Arnie, who had developmental disabilities. It was a really powerful story about family and responsibility.

Even though the experience wasn’t easy, Johnny Depp expressed a lot of respect for Leonardo DiCaprio’s work ethic. He said, “I truly admire Leo. He put a huge amount of effort and research into the film, and he always came to set prepared and ready to work.”

Depp playfully admitted to teasing DiCaprio while they were filming. He recounted how he’d jokingly bother DiCaprio about his video game hobby, especially during a difficult time in DiCaprio’s personal life. Depp even jokingly recalled telling DiCaprio he wouldn’t share a cigarette with him while he was avoiding a conversation with his mother.

Even though things were tough, Depp admired DiCaprio’s commitment and believed his enthusiasm might have helped him get through a challenging period.

Lasse Hallström’s film, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, adapted from Peter Hedges’ 1991 novel, was shot in Texas from November 1992 to January 1993.

The film centers on Gilbert, who balances the demands of family life with his personal journey. The movie stars Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen, and John C. Reilly, but Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio were especially recognized for their acting.

Although the movie didn’t do well in theaters, earning a little over $10 million in the US, critics loved it. It has a 90% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and reviewers particularly praised Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance, calling it the best part of the film.

As a movie fan, I was really struck by what Janet Maslin of The New York Times said about Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance – she described his portrayal of Arnie’s quirks as initially almost painful to watch, but incredibly vivid and intense throughout the entire film. And Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times went even further, calling the movie one of the year’s most charming and believing DiCaprio deserved an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor, which thankfully he got!

Critics also praised the performances of Depp and DiCaprio. Todd McCarthy from Variety observed that Depp delivered a charming and engaging performance, taking center stage with an appealing character. Film Review described DiCaprio’s work as remarkably innocent and natural, making a challenging role believable and touching.

Although What’s Eating Gilbert Grape didn’t make a lot of money at the box office, it’s now considered a classic film, known for its moving story and strong acting. Johnny Depp has shared that even on a successful movie, the process of making it can be challenging.

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2025-11-02 11:45