Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

They really need to break up the stages of life more definitively. First you’re a child, then you’re a teenager, and suddenly you become an adult? No, no, no, there’s that in-between time, the time when you don’t need supervision but you still feel too immature to actually have that degree on your wall and a full-time job. This is the time in your life when Reality Bites.

While this film is specifically written with the Gen-Xer in mind, the truth of the matter is we all go through the same confusion. Just when we’re finally beginning to define ourselves we also have to cook and clean and earn money. At this point we have three options, as our well-defined by main characters Troy, Michael, and Lelaina.

Option #1 – The “Troy” method of becoming an adult: Life is about having a philosophy on life and sticking to it. This philosophy can best be obtained by analyzing your past and the pop culture that dominated it. Once you decide what you’ve been lead to believe is correct realize that nothing really matters and try to go on from there. Don’t let anyone boss you around, even your boss. (This may make it difficult to find a job, but there’s always a pretty girl out there willing to lend you space in her bed or at the very least her couch.)

Option #2 – The “Michael” method of becoming an adult: Life is about being successful and nothing else matters. You should not bother with college because it just fills your head with useless garbage, especially in the school of liberal arts, and you could’ve been gaining job experience and making money during those years. Pop culture is still important, but only because it’s easy to market and can make you a lot of money. Principles and ideals are nice things to think about, but in the end, the only important thing is how you look and what kind of car you drive.

Option #3 – The “Lelaina” method of becoming an adult: Life is about your relationships with other people. It’s possible to overanalyze them, but it’s very difficult to determine whether or not you’re doing that. Maybe by documenting everything that happens with a video-camera a little light will be shed on the matter. Soon you find that we can only learn and grow through interaction, and we will quickly realize that life is hard, and love is even harder. But it’s really worth it.

Maybe I’m being melodramatic. I mean it’s just a movie right? And this is just a movie review.

Maybe I should be giving you a brief synopsis:
After college graduation, four friends struggle with adulthood and their relationships. (or as IMDB writes: Film major Winona must choose between staying true to her art vs. selling out, and successful yuppie Ben Stiller or the philosophical Ethan Hawke.)

Maybe I should give a list of the note-worthy cast:
Lelaina – Winona Ryder
Troy – Ethan Hawke
Michael – Ben Stiller (who also directed)
Sammy – Steve Zahn
Vickie – Janeane Garofalo

Maybe I should tell you a short-story of how I was fortunate enough to see this movie on its opening night in the spring of my sophomore year of high school, sitting next to my junior high crush that I “had” been over until he flirted with me all night and suddenly I couldn’t stop thinking about him all over again.

Maybe I should say that Reality Bites is one of my top 5 movies of all time and I’ve still got the poster bought at the video store for $0.75 hanging up in my bedroom in my mother’s house.

Maybe I should just shut-up and hope that you catch it on TV or go rent it if you haven’t seen it.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older