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Reality Bites Movie Review
Actors
Ben Stiller, Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, Joe Don Baker, John Mahony
Movie Review
The first time I watched this I was disappointed. Perhaps it was the recommendation I got from the same girl I saw Pulp Fiction with, so I thought we had similar tastes. Anyway, I watched it a second time and found it completely different and much better. Ben Stiller did a fine job in directing his first film and I can't understand why he has tended to stick with comedies recently. Whilst this one has its funny moments, it is not purely a comedy.
Winona Ryder and her friends have all graduated and are moving into the working world. They are all taking different paths from slacker to retail assistant to television production. Ben Stiller portrays a music television executive whose life crashes into the others. Ethan Hawke is superb as the slacker who appears not to care about much. I often wonder if this would be a good way to move through life. Dead end jobs, a few beers and a good book.
Add a good soundtrack to a good story and it gets even better. At least to copyright owner of My Sharona got a bit more money from their song. Pretty sure they didn't get as much as expected from The Knack, the group who originally recorded it. The only time you hear them now is on the one hit wonders albums.
Also look out for the ingenuity from Ryder when they don't have any money and a small part from Renee Zellweger. I didn't recognise her at first and had to go back after reading her name in the credits. See if you can spot her.
Definitely one of those films I watch when I need a bit of a pick me up. Things go up and down for the characters but eventually you know things will work out for them.
Quotes
You look like a doily.
Hello, you've reached the winter of our discontent.
I have to work around here, and unfortunately Troy, you are a master at the art of time suckage.
Alright fine you wanna be in a band fine. Go ahead. Play everynight. Play three times a night! Don't just dick around the same coffee house for five years. Don't dick around with her; or with me. I mean try at something for once in your life, do something about it. But you know what? You better do it now and you better do it fast because the world doesn't owe you any favors.
You, me and five bucks.
Useless Information
Renee Zellweger had a minor part and you would hardly notice her.
Was Ben Stiller's directorial debut.
This movie review was published on 22 Oct 2004, by James
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