Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11363 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-08-18
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Turkish, Arabic, Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Romanian
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 94 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Ben Stiller's directorial debut was this sporadically successful twentysomething comedy that tries too hard to codify the generational experience of its young adult characters. Winona Ryder plays a still-unformed woman struggling with career and relationship issues, Janeane Garofalo portrays her best friend, and Ethan Hawke and Stiller play the two lovers pursuing her. The story is as also about generation-X confusion over how to get by in a hand-me-down world with not much to get excited about, a world filled with a pop culture currency of bad music and poetry slams. The film's chief strength is its appealing cast, which is bolstered by appearances from David Spade, Renee Zellweger, Kevin Pollak, Jeanne Triplehorn, and Stiller's mother, Anne Meara. --Tom Keogh

Special Features
English
Region 2

Synopsis
Lelaina Pierce (Winona Ryder) faces life after college, using a video documentary about her confused and drifting friends to advance her ambitions in the entertainment industry. When a video executive (Ben Stiller, also making his directorial debut) becomes romantically interested in her, she is forced to choose between her slacker boyfriend (Ethan Hawke) and the big cruel world of adulthood lurking ahead.

Customer Reviews

Perfect, brilliant, must see
I remember this film on TV years ago - I was far too young and didn't get it at all. However after reading some reviews recently I decided to by a copy - particularly after seeing Ethan in Before Sunrise and being a puzzled graduate myself I thought it was worth a watch.
Reality Bites did not disappoint - it is witty, quirky and perfect for twenty somethings or anyone going through a bit of a life crisis! The characters are really well developed and Ethan is brilliant at playing the brooding Troy. The chemistry between the central characters is smouldering and despite my expectations there was no hint of cheese or "chick flick" corny slushiness! Which was a relief as certain films promise brilliance but let you down at some point, usually near the end. The soundtrack to the film is also great and captures the mood. I would highly recommend this film - even in this decade it is relevant and entertaining!

A Big Gulp Of Reality
Reality Bites was Ben Stiller's directorial debut, and what a debut! He captures the essence of the 90's in this stylish and captivating comedy/love story.

Generation X have just graduated and Lelaina Pierce (Winona Ryder) finds herself thrust into the real world. She goes about making a documentary about life after graduation, documenting her friends every thought. Each friend has there own quirkiness too them, Troy (Ethan Hawk) is the superbly attractive genius who lacks ambition, Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) works at The Gap and keeps a book filled with all the men she sleeps with and Sammy (Steve Zahn) is gay and coming out to his parents. The overriding storyline however lies between Lelaina and Troy, who have superb chemistry in this film resulting in a completely believable and heart-warming alliance.

This is stylishly shot and not at all dated although the 90's feeling comes across very strongly. It is clever and cool. And if nothing else at least by the end of it you'll be able to define irony on the spot!

Reality Bites
I LOVE this film! The characters are exceptional with the possible exception of Ben Stiller who plays the most annoying yuppie ever and who drives you to distraction with his inability to express himself with even the most simple of words. However, the articulate and linguistic delight that is Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke) more than makes up for it. It is impossible to not fall for his character. His eventual 'get-together' with LeLaina is inevitable despite their sometimes vicious arguments and personal attacks.......yet we know it is all in the name of love. Their dancing in the petrol station to My Sherona has to be one of the most humourous moments in film history. A brilliant must-see film.