Reality Bites

Generation X college graduates struggle to find their way. Valedictorian Lelaina Pierce (Winona Ryder) tries to maintain her sincere believes while making a documentary about her group and working at Grant Gubler's morning show. Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke) is her best friend and a willful womanizing slacker. Vickie Miner (Janeane Garofalo) is concerned that she has become a manager at the Gap. Sammy Gray (Steve Zahn) is trying to come to terms with his sexuality. Music TV executive yuppie Michael Grates (Ben Stiller) crashes into Lelaina's car leading into a romance.

This is an iconic Gen X movie. Winona is adorable. Ethan Hawke is at the height of his slacker cool. There is great music. There is great slacker dialog. The only problem is that Ben Stiller is not a big enough jerk. That breaks a cliché from the traditional rom-com. One breaks the formula at one's own risk. Although who doesn't want to dance in a gas station convenient store?