Reality Bites?

Having made the point that there are few examples of 20 something pop culture, I immediately was told of two examples from the 90s, including Reality Bites. I was ashamed to admit that I had never seen this cult classic, hence the reason I did not mention it in my previous post. I hoped it would live up to expectations. It did to a certain extent.

The most disappointing part of the movie was seeing Winona Ryder in her prime, knowing that sometime after this movie she ruined it all by shoplifting. Also, Ethan Hawke’s teeth were distractingly crooked. Call me shallow, but these little things can chip away at the integrity of a film. I began to wonder if that’s why Troy was so angsty—his over-bite caused him all sorts of inner mouth pain and thus psychological turmoil.

On a more serious note, I do feel that the cast worked well together. Janeane Garofalo showed that sarcasm is not simply a humor tactic, but a fine art if executed correctly. Steve Zahn also was a pleasant surprise, though I much prefer him in Saving Silverman. (That might be just me.) Ben Stiller might be the best part of the movie, toning down his usual comedic flare and stepping in with some of the scripts more solid lines—“what’s your glitch?!?!”

Production notes aside, the ultimate message of the movie does ring true to 20 somethings, particularly those fresh out of college. My heart soared a bit when Lelaina (Winona Ryder)confesses to Troy (Ethan Hawke), “I was really going to be somebody by the time I was 23.” To which he replies, “Honey, all you have to be by the time you’re 23, is yourself.” I realized as I sat watching, that I am about to turn 23. If I remain in my limbo status, I might just fall back on this line when my parents ask me what the hell I’m doing: “Relax, Mom and Dad. I’m just being myself.”

The main flaw with this movie is that for all the angst the characters pretend to entertain, they’re really just softies. Lelaina still is tempted by the corporate sell out (even she is prone to his unique albeit odd Ben-Stillerish charm). Troy still falls back on cheap middle school flirting tactics: “You look like a doily.” For all of Lelaina’s struggling artist façade, she pulls out Daddy’s gas card at the drop of a hat and gladly drives his hand-me-down BMW. Though Lelaina wants us to believe that using the gas card is her way of saying "fuck you" to her dad, it still gives her that financial advantage that most 20 somethings don't have.

If anything, the movie reminds the audience that no matter how hard we emphasize and build up an outer shell of angst and intellect, we’re all naïve, innocent and not as smart was we think we are—this fact also counts for valedictorians, as Lelaina shows us. Ultimately, this message is far from unique in the movie world. You can almost group it with any old high school movie.

On top of this fact, Realy Bites, like many other films, gives us the false impression that despite any character shortcomings, you can still crack the mob rocker’s crusty shell and ultimately move in with him to share an answering machine with a oh-so-witty “at the beep” message. So the title should really be finished with a question mark, as the "bite" has long since worn off by the time the credits roll.

I will hand it to Reality Bites for coming close enough to stand as a significant cultural text for 20-somethings. Perhaps it works because it once again reaffirms that life in your 20s will be a crapshoot no matter what happens. The most comforting notion it pushes is that answering questions with “I don’t know” is okay; it might even get you a round of applause.