The film had a limited release December 17, 1993, and wide release March 4, 1994.[3] The wide release garnered $2,104,938 in its first weekend. It was considered a box-office bomb, with the total domestic gross for the film $10,032,765, although it achieved greater success on home video.[8]
The film received positive reviews, with many critics praising the performances by Depp and DiCaprio. The latter was singled out for his performance in the film, many saying that DiCaprio stole the film from the lead actor, Depp. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film was given a 90% score, and an average rating of 7.40/10, based on 50 reviews. The site's consensus states: "It's sentimental and somewhat predictable, but those are small complaints, given the tender atmosphere and moving performances at the heart of What's Eating Gilbert Grape."[9] Metacritic calculated an average score of 73 out of 100, based on 20 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[10]
The New York Times film critic, Janet Maslin, praised DiCaprio's performance, writing, "The film's real show-stopping turn comes from Mr. DiCaprio, who makes Arnie's many tics so startling and vivid that at first he is difficult to watch... The performance has a sharp, desperate intensity from beginning to end."[11]
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times described it as "one of the most enchanting films of the year", and said that DiCaprio deserved to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for which he was nominated.[12]
Todd McCarthy of Variety found the film a "bemused view on life", and remarked that "Depp manages to command center screen with a greatly affable, appealing characterization".[13]
The Washington Post's Desson Howe thought that the film was an earnest but highly predictable effort.[14]
Film Review praised Leonardo DiCaprio as the mentally disabled brother, calling it "a performance of astonishing innocence and spontaneity", bringing "a touching credibility to a very difficult part".[7]
Year-end lists
- 2nd – David Elliott, The San Diego Union-Tribune[15]
- 4th – Dan Craft, The Pantagraph[16]
- 7th – Stephen Hunter, The Baltimore Sun[17]
- Honorable mention – Duane Dudek, Milwaukee Sentinel[18]
- Honorable mention – Steve Persall, St. Petersburg Times[19]
- Honorable mention – Bob Carlton, The Birmingham News[20]
Accolades
| Awards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Award | Category | Recipients and nominees | Result |
| 66th Academy Awards[21] | Best Supporting Actor | Leonardo DiCaprio | Nominated |
| 51st Golden Globe Awards[22] | Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture | Nominated | |
| 65th National Board of Review Awards[23] | Best Supporting Actor Award | Won | |
| Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 1993[24] | Most Promising Young Actor | Won | |
| 1993 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards[25] | New Generation Award | Won |
