This article is about the film. For the television series, see Reality Bites (TV series). For the The Simpsons episode, see Realty Bites.
Reality Bites
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Ben Stiller
Written by
Helen Childress
Produced by
Danny DeVito Michael Shamberg
Starring
Winona Ryder
Ethan Hawke
Ben Stiller
Janeane Garofalo
Swoosie Kurtz
Joe Don Baker
John Mahoney
Cinematography
Emmanuel Lubezki
Edited by
Lisa Churgin
Music by
Karl Wallinger
Production company
Jersey Films
Distributed by
Universal Pictures
Release dates
January 28, 1994 (1994-01-28) (Sundance[1])
February 18, 1994 (1994-02-18)
Running time
99 minutes[2]
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$11.5 million[3]
Box office
$41 million[4]
Reality Bites is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film written by Helen Childress and directed by Ben Stiller in his feature directorial debut. It stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, and Stiller, with supporting roles by Janeane Garofalo and Steve Zahn. In the film, Lelaina (Ryder), an aspiring videographer, works on a documentary about the disenchanted lives of her friends and roommates.
Childress wrote the initial screenplay on spec in 1990, inspired by the lives of her and her friends during the recession. Stiller was initially hired solely as director in 1991, and starred in the film after working with Childress for nine to ten months on the final screenplay, which was completed in December 1992. The film faced production delays until Ryder committed to the project, which lead to the casting of Hawke and Zahn. Garofalo was fired during filming but was recast after Ryder stepped in on her behalf. Principal photography lasted 42 days in 1993, with filming taking place in Houston and Los Angeles.
Reality Bites received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances of Ryder, Hawke and Garofalo.[5] It grossed $41 million worldwide.[6] It also appeared on some critics' year-end lists for 1994 and 1995.
While actress Janeane Garofalo has rejected the film's reputation as a Generation X movie, many have embraced it as such.[7] The film has since achieved cult status for its depiction of the career and lifestyle choices faced by young adults.
^Cite error: The named reference Byrge was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"REALITY BITES (12)". British Board of Film Classification. 1994-03-16. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
^Cite error: The named reference kolson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^"Selected Sundance alumni domestic vs international". Screen International. 17 February 1997. p. 18.
^"A Generation X Quartet Sinks Its Teeth Into Life". The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 27, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
^"'Reality' Is A Gen-x Film With Satirical Bite". Orlando Sentinel. October 17, 1999. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
^Janeane Garofalo Says "Reality Bites" Isn't For Gen X | Letterman, retrieved 2024-02-18
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