This film was one of the more mainstream offerings in the array of films that emphasized the overly hyped "Generation X" phenomenon, a list that ranges from
Slacker to
Singles and includes a host of other films.
Winona Ryder stars as Lelaina, a recent college graduate. Out on her own and independent from her supportive, but out-of-touch parents, Lelaina faces the realities of careers and relationships. She can't stand her internship under a local television personality (
John Mahoney), and she's forced to choose between Michael (
Ben Stiller), a well-intentioned music-video network executive, and Troy (
Ethan Hawke), a brooding, sensitive slacker. Meanwhile, she must also protect the artistic integrity of "Reality Bites," a video documentary that depicts the everyday lives of her friends (Hawke,
Janeane Garofalo, and
Steve Zahn). This 1994 release also marks the feature directorial debut of
Ben Stiller. ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide