Describe a surprising or important moment or event in the text. Explain how visual/verbal features were used to help you understand why this moment was surprising or important.

In ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?’ directed by Lasse Hallstrom an important event is when Gilbert and Arnie leave Endora with Becky in the last scene. The event is much different in comparison to previous scenes where Gilbert is confined at Endora, ‘the end of the line. This is shown by the lighting, camera angles, dialogue and music.

The last scene where they wait to see Becky is in many ways similar to the first scene of the film. Gilbert and Arnie are waiting for the caravans. In comparison to the first scene Gilbert is happier. When Arnie announces that he can see the caravans their faces are lit up by luminous light and smiles lit up their face. The effect is to show how joyful and free they are. The importance in this event is that Gilbert is getting freedom from his dysfunctional family and stifling small town environment. Also a low angle shot is taken of them. We see Gilbert and Arnie. This conveys the image of them looking large, big and important

In the last scene a voice over is said by Gilbert. Instead of sounding depressed he speaks in an excited voice changing pitch. He says, “We can go anywhere”. We feel that Gilbert is in a much different mood than before such compared to the first scene. In the first scene he does voice over where he says, “They’re doing the right thing just passing through”. In the first scene he sounds like he has given up and has accepted the fact that he probably be trapped here for the rest of his life. Previously Gilbert always has many responsibilities with Arnie and providing for the rest of his family. This event is important because it leads to Gilbert gaining his own life, independence and freedom; not just looking after the family.

When Gilbert and Arnie are leaving in Becky’s car the music is joyful and louder in pitch than in the first scene or any other part of the movie. This is different to music when Becky says she is going to leave. At that time only the sound of cicadas and nature is heard humming softly in the background. The loudness of the music conveys the importance of the scene.

In ‘What’s Eating Gilbert Grape’ an important event is when Arnie and Gilbert leave with Becky. This event is about Gilbert gaining his freedom and leaving Endora and is shown by the lighting, camera angles and music.