What’s eating Gilbert Grape

Gilbert You don’t understand. She was in shock for years. He disappeared. He didn’t say goodbye. He just, er. . . one day. . . all of a sudden. . . he was gone. He was just hanging there. That’s when it all started. She used to be so pretty. She was so pretty and so. . . fun.

Becky So you think it’s his fault?

Gilbert No. Nobody knew what he felt. He didn’t. . . give anything. He was just sort of there. You’d try to play with him, you know, get him to play around. Get him to laugh or get him to smile or get him to. . . I don’t know – get mad. But. . . nothing. Just like, er, he was already dead.

Becky I used to know a guy like that.

Gilbert Hey.

Becky Hi.

Gilbert It’s Arnie’s birthday. I need to go home.

Man Give my regards to your mother.

Amy I certainly will.

Ellen Amy, look who’s here.

Tucker Where you been? You all right?

Gilbert Yeah.

Bobby He’s alive!

Gilbert Amy. Where’s Arnie? Amy. Please, Amy. Is he okay?

Amy I think you’d better ask him that yourself.

Gilbert Where is he?

Amy I wonder where he could be?

Gilbert Amy? Have you seen Arnie?

Amy Um. . . no, I thought he was with you.

Gilbert No.

Amy No?

Gilbert Arnie? Arnie? Anybody seen Arnie? Where’s my brother?

Arnie Boo!

Gilbert Boo. Come here. You scared me, buddy. You scared Gilbert. Don’t scare Gilbert, okay?

Arnie Don’t scare Gilbert, okay?

Gilbert Okay. Uh-oh. Come here.

Arnie I’ve got you.

Gilbert Ow. Ow.

Amy You better talk to Momma.

Gilbert Momma? Momma.

Momma What you did was. . . He’s a helpless boy, Gilbert. And then disappearing like that. I hate that. You know how I hate that. You walked out and I thought, “I can’t take another.” But you came back, Gilbert. Why? Why did you?

Gilbert I don’t know, Momma. I’m here now. I’m here now.

Momma Yes, you are. You came back for the party. Oh, Gilbert. I can’t imagine how it’s been for you kids. I know what a burden I am.

Gilbert Don’t say that.

Momma I know it. And I know that you’re ashamed of me.

Gilbert No, I’m not. No, I’m not.

Momma I never, never meant to be like this. I never wanted to be a joke.

Gilbert You’re no joke, Momma.

Momma I never wanted to be.

Gilbert You’re no joke. You’re no joke, Momma.

Momma Oh, Gilbert, please don’t disappear. Please don’t disappear.

Bobby You’re really growing up to be quite a. . . a young lady.

Ellen Thanks.

Bobby Hey. Hi.

Gilbert Hey.

Tucker I don’t want to rain on the day here, but you have a serious foundation problem. You see how this. . . the porch is slanted right here? I mean, this is a serious problem, Gilbert. We need to get up underneath here. First of all we need to fill this in so no more water collects here. And then we probably. . . What?

Gilbert Hi.

Becky Hi.

Grandma Hello, Gilbert.

Gilbert Nana. You ready?

Becky For what?

Gilbert I want you to. . . I want you to come meet somebody.

Becky Okay.

Arnie Hey!

Becky Hi, Arnie.

Arnie Hi.

Becky Here’s your present.

Arnie Oh.

Gilbert Arnie, what do you say?

Arnie Thank you.

Gilbert Momma. Momma, I want you to meet somebody.

Momma No.

Gilbert Please. Just this once, for me.

Becky Gilbert, it’s okay. We can do it later.

Gilbert No, this is what I want. Do it for me, please. This is different. Nobody’s gonna laugh. I’m not gonna hurt you any more, Momma. I promise. Please.

Momma Okay.

Gilbert Okay. Becky. Momma, this is Becky.

Momma Hello.

Becky Hi.

Momma I haven’t always been like this.

Becky I haven’t always been like this.

Arnie I’m called a miracle.

Grandma You’re a miracle?

Arnie I’m a miracle.

Amy A walking miracle.

Grandma I can believe that.

Arnie Bye.