Autism In What's Eating Gilbert Grape

The film, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, is about a young man named Gilbert Grape who takes care of his younger brother Arnie who is autistic – a mental disability. Gilbert takes on several other responsibilities such as caring for his obese mother, working at the local grocery store, and trying to keep things afloat in the house. However, things get complicated for Gilbert when he pursues interest in a young woman named Becky. Gilbert struggles to find time to take care of his brother Arnie while trying to pursue a relationship with Becky. The film portrays autism in a negative light. For example, Arnie demonstrates inappropriate behaviors toward his father’s death by laughing and repeating “dad’s dead.” Also, at the end of the movie, Arnie