Some of the best pieces of entertainment or art take time to catch on. This can happen when independent films are made: folks jump on board a bit later and go crazy for it, keeping the hype alive for decades after the film came out.
This is pretty spot-on for the 1993 flick, What's Eating Gilbert Grape. It grossed just about $10 million at the box office, which isn't all that much when it comes to Hollywood profits. If you're a fan, you may not even know these 10 things about the movie.
Yet fans of the film are die-hard, and they will watch it time and time again. VHS and DVD sales have made up for the initial lack of interest in the movie. When Darlene Cates passed away in her sleep in early 2017, fans deeply mourned the loss and fondly remembered what an amazing portrayal she delivered.
Do you love this '90s movie? How many times have you seen it?
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Thumbnail Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Georges Biard
1. Mama Was Discovered On A Talk Show
After spending five years locked up in her home and ashamed of her weight, Darlene Cates went on the Sally Jessy Raphael Show in 1992. Screenwriter Peter Hedges saw the appearance and sent a copy of the tape to director Lasse Hallstrom, who immediately fell in love with her. Darlene had never acted before, but clearly had a knack for it!
2. It Wasn't Actually Shot In Iowa
While the movie takes place in Endora, Iowa, it was actually shot in locations across Texas. There are some clear giveaways, like a quick shot of a Manor, Texas, police car in the background.
3. Leo Gave Up A Ton Of Money For The Role Of Arnie
Before Leo had even auditioned for the role of Arnie, he turned down "more money than [he'd] ever dreamed of" by saying no to a role in Disney's Hocus Pocus. He recently told Variety that he still doesn't know where he got the nerve to turn down a huge offer like that at such a young age, but he's glad he did!
4. Mama Never Actually Climbed The Stairs
For the scene when Mama climbs the stairs, the same footage of Darlene climbing the first couple of stairs was used to make it look like she climbed the entire staircase. She didn't actually do it. The upstairs bedroom was actually on the ground floor.
5. Johnny Paid Leo $500 On Set
On a dare from Johnny, for a whopping $500, Leo sniffed a rancid pickled egg, as reported by People. That's a lot of money for just a few seconds of a bad smell.
6. Darlene Was Leo's Favorite Movie Mom
Upon Darlene's passing in early 2017, Leo took to Facebook to proclaim how much of an impact she had on him all those years ago. He wrote that she was "the best acting mom I ever had the privilege of working alongside.
"Her endearing personality and incredible talent will live on in the memories of those who knew her, and those who loved her work," he added. "My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time."
7. Johnny Wasn't The Kindest To Leo On Set
Johnny has admitted multiple times that he was not in a very good place during the shooting of this film. His unhappiness made him cold towards Leo, and EW quotes him as saying, "I tortured him. I really did. He was always talking about these videos games, you know? I told you it was kind of a dark period… ‘No, I will not give you a drag of my cigarette while you hide from your mother again, Leo.'"
8. Yet Leo Still Saw The Opportunity To Work With Johnny As A Blessing
The Daily Mail quotes Leo as saying that getting to work with an actor like Johnny at such a young age was like "winning the lottery." Even if Johnny wasn't exactly the friendliest person, Leo was still honored to work by his side.
9. Leo Did Kill The Grasshopper
The scene where Arnie kills the grasshopper is true to life. Unfortunately, even though animal protection agents were on set, Leo took the blocking instructions quite literally and ended up killing the grasshopper. That wasn't the original intention, but it is the shot they ended up using.
10. The Farmhouse Was Also Used For Roadie
Gilbert Grape wasn't the first movie to be filmed at this particular Texas farmhouse. The 1980 flick Roadie, starring Meat Loaf, was also shot at the same location.
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