Twentysomething angst gets another going over in "Reality Bites," a light comic romance about aimless youth in the '90s that compares favorably with such recent similar efforts as "Singles" and "Bodies, Rest & Motion."
Winona Ryder heads the ensemble cast as the valedictorian of her class who is unable to get a job in her career of choice. As the film begins, she is working at a local TV station as an intern for a pompous morning show host (John Mahoney), and, on the side, is making a documentary about her slacker friends.
Ryder's roommate (Janeane Garofalo, in a funny, winning debut) is working at the Gap, hoping to become manager; her longtime best friend, a grungy musician (Ethan Hawke) is bright but cynical and can't seem to hold a job; and rounding out the foursome is a gay friend (Steve Zahn), whose character is the least developed of the group.
The main plot device has Ryder accepting career guidance and romance from a yuppie cable video executive (Ben Stiller), who is a bit older and who long ago sold out. This puts Ryder at odds with Hawke, who loves her but can't articulate his feelings without being an insensitive lout.
In truth, however, the "will they/won't they?" plot machinations here are the film's weakest link. Much more interesting are the characters and some very funny situations in which they find themselves, courtesy of the bright script by first-timer Helen Childress. "Reality Bites" is also well-directed by Stiller in his feature debut, after winning an Emmy for his critically praised but little-seen Fox Network program. (Stiller also had small roles in "Empire of the Sun," "Next of Kin" and other movies.)
Ryder is charming in the lead role and effectively conveys her character's puzzlement about where she's going, both romantically and career-wise. And Hawke is also good, sour and cynical much of the way but still sympathetic, as is Stiller, who gives his character some fullness that goes beyond the obvious stereotype. But it is Garofalo who steals the show, demonstrating an enormously ingratiating likability on the screen. She's someone to watch for in the future.
One question: Why does everyone in this movie smoke so heavily?
"Reality Bites" is rated PG-13 for sex, profanity, vulgarity and marijuana smoking.