Reality Bites

Director: Ben Stiller

1994 / 99min / 35mm

Arguably the most consciously “Gen X” movie ever made, Stiller’s shambolically charming directorial debut stars Ryder as Lelaina Pierce, a university valedictorian whose postgraduate malaise threatens to become a full-fledged identity crisis when she’s faced with the choice between two very different eligible suitors: corporate climber Michael (Stiller) and slack motherfucker Troy (Ethan Hawke), the latter a staple of the Houston, Texas open mic circuit. Featuring a pip of a soundtrack (Juliana Hatfield Three! Lisa Loeb and Nine Stories!), career-best supporting work from Janeane Garofalo, and cameo appearances by Lemonheads frontman Evan Dando and Ryder’s then-beau, Soul Asylum’s Dave Pirner. Be there or be a cob nobbler.

Distributor: Universal