OC HIGH: STUDENT NEWS & VIEWS : Friendship and Other Bites of ‘Reality’

Teen reviews of books, music, movies and other things of interest Tara: As we walked into the familiar Cinedome multiplex theater, I had to keep reminding Dana that “Reality Bites” is not a new snack food nor a vampire cult. It is, however, the hottest modern love, friendship and Big Gulp movie of the year. I should know: I have seen it four times.

Dana: Well, that is a sad commentary on your social life , Tara. Anyway, “Reality Bites” stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Ben Stiller as three struggling 20-something, Generation-Xers trying to find their niche in society.

Tara: Gosh, Dana, you make it sound more like a bleach brand than a movie about an aspiring group of young people who listen to ‘ 70s music and search for their identity in ‘ 80s clothing. OK, maybe Generation X perfectly describes this cast of ‘90s yuppies, grungies and total nicotine addicts. Did everyone smoke in this movie?

Dana: I think I got asthma watching this movie. Let me catch my breath!

Tara: Nice segue, Dana!

Dana: Thanks, I liked it. The film focuses on Ryder’s character, Lelaina, and her pursuit of the American Dream/Perfect Career. Stuck in a low-paying job as an intern for a low-budget talk-show host, Lelaina captures the trials and tribulations of her friends on video camera in hopes of turning these home movies into a documentary about life after college. Personally, I think that this is one of Ryder’s strongest roles, because she perfectly captures the emotions that a college graduate must experience as she desperately searches for a steady job in today’s economy.

Tara: Speaking of strong and steady, send me a copy of the tape of Ethan Hawke. Can we say “marry me”? His performance as Troy Dyer, the philosopher/musician who is too cool for school, melted the butter on my popcorn each time I saw the film. He is intense yet aloof, deep yet emotionally blocked. And he has the sexiest eyebrows I have ever seen! For the guys reading this, I would like to mention that Ryder has some fine attributes as well. Her cute little nose looks exactly like Dana’s.

Dana: Now that you mention look-alikes, Tara, you bear a striking resemblance to Stiller, who makes his directorial debut. Stiller also delivers a phenomenal performance as Michael Grates, the uptown, cellular phone-toting, Armani suit yuppie who falls in love with Lelaina after she destroys his car and favorite collector’s item--a Planet of the Apes statue. Stiller’s character, which is the antithesis of Hawke’s, adds to the witty repartee between Lelaina and Troy and also fans the sexual fires between the two friends.

Tara: The varied types of cinematography also add a unique flare to the film. Portions of the movie are revealed through the viewfinder of Lelaina’s video camera, which made me feel as if I were participating in the creation of the documentary.

Dana: Don’t forget to mention the on-fire soundtrack that includes such artists as Lenny Kravitz, the Indians, Dinosaur Jr., World Party and even a debut song by Hawke. The diversity of the songs symbolizes the lost identity of the characters; it includes love songs, a rap song, reggae songs and the 1970s classic “My Sharona.”

Tara: Dana, you are on fire with that hilarious comparison between Stiller and myself. And that is exactly what this film is, the pinnacle of sophisticated humor for a generation who cannot help but laugh at themselves. Kids, watch it and laugh at your parents, who pretend they get the jokes. Overall, we say “Reality Bites” is fun for the entire family.