Eating Gilbert Grape Family

In the movie “Eating Gilbert Grape”, the focus is on the Grape family, and the complexities of their lives. The family lives in Endora, which is a rural community. This movie depicts a family who struggles with grief and loss, a mental disability, and a poor economic position. The Grape family consists of Bonnie Grape (mother), Gilbert Grape (son), Arnie Grape (son), Amy Grape (daughter), and Ellen Grape (daughter). According to the family systems theory, the family must be looked at as a whole, and each family member’s roles and behaviors are dependent upon one another (Brandell, 2011, p. 154). This is true for the Grape family, every family member has a specific role to carry out and when their role is neglected it causes a breakdown in the family system.
Although the movie only displays four …show more content…
Gilbert has taken on an abundant amount of the responsibility in the family; he is the financial provider and the primary caretaker for Arnie, who has the mental disability. Amy and Ellen also assist Gilbert with providing care to Arnie. The presenting problem in the movie appears to be Arnie’s mentally disability, and the struggles of the family trying to take care of him. In reality Arnie is a well-adjusted seventeen year old with a disability. He continues to live in the home with his family, never been institutionalized, and has a great support system. Although, there are still times that the support system breaks down and Arnie is put in compromising positions. The problem does not lie with Arnie, but with his caretakers Gilbert, Amy, and Ellen. Gilbert and his sisters both left with the responsibility to care for Arnie. This is causing tension within the family, and is preventing the family members from reaching their full potential. Gilbert is depressed a result of his role in the family, he appears emotionally detached and limited social