Reality Bites

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Reality Bites ★★½ 1994 (PG-13)

Humorous look at four recent college grads living, working, and slacking in Houston. Script by newcomer Childress isat its best when highlighting the trends: 7Eleven Big Gulps, tacky '70s memorabilia, and games revolving around episodes of old TV shows like “Good Times,” to name a few. Definite appeal for those in their early 20s, but anyone over 25 may encounter a “Generation Xer” gap, a noticeable problem since “Reality” claims to speak for the entire twentysomething generation. Decent directorial debut for Stiller; good cast, particularly Garofalo, in her film debut. 99m/C VHS, DVD . Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, Swoosie Kurtz, Joe Don Baker, John Mahoney; Cameos: David Pirner, Anne Meara, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Karen Duffy, Evan Dando; D: Ben Stiller; W: Helen Childress; C: Emmanuel Lubezki; M: Karl Wallinger.