The ’90s seem to be a time of vast confusion. Waif models, alternative grungies, and green platform shoes are “in” and no one knows why! Maybe the messed up “Generation X” is what makes “Reality Bites” so stupidly funny. It has no message and no point, but who cares? As long as it makes fun of “Melrose Place.”
Lelaina (Winona Ryder) was the valedictorian of her class. Now she works as an intern for a morning talk show and is beginning to realize a college degree won’t get you very far. In her free time she films her friends in everyday reality. Troy (Ethan Hawke) has just been fired from his 12th job and doesn’t care. Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) is manager of a Gap clothing store and is passionately in love with the disco era. Sammy (Steve Zahn) is a mess, sexually, and finds celibacy to be his savior. By chance, Lelaina meets Michael (Ben Stiller), a wannabe yuppie, who can guarantee her success.
So it sounds a little dumb, but the script really packs in classic one-liners destined to make you laugh. One of the first movies to relate to the problems being faced by recent college graduates, “Reality Bites” combines ’90s humor with ’90s dilemmas for a product everyone can relate to.
The acting is great and the script is good, but it would be so much better if it had a plot. “Reality Bites” is one of those no-brainer, moneymakers that people will definitely go to see. If you don’t think too much, you’re guaranteed a good time. (STAR)(STAR) 1/2
