Review of Reality Bites (1994) by Lindsay W — 12 Jan 2009

At times poignant and relatable, but constantly undermined by hackneyed plot points and an over-saturation of 90s pop culture. Sure the 90s were fun, but it just tried too hard to be hip that it got a little lost in the TV and music references.

Janeane Garofalo is at her least annoying, though that's still pretty grating, while Winona Ryder is so fidgety I wanted to shove some Ritalin down her throat. On the other hand, Ben Stiller, Steve Zahn and Ethan Hawke were highly enjoyable in their roles.

Although I didn't find the plot particularly engrossing or original, there were moments of depth which makes this a worthwhile watch, especially for the 20-something embarking on a career.