Reality Bites Details

Ben Stiller made his directorial debut with this Generation X comedy, which, though likeable enough, isn't particularly realistic. Strip away the attitude and all you'll find is an old-fashioned romantic comedy, in which Winona Ryder can't make up her mind between geek Stiller and tuned-in drop-out Ethan Hawke. This wouldn't be so bad if the characters were interesting, but, with the exception of Janeane Garofalo, they're self-obsessed 20-somethings with little grasp of the big bad world. Yet, for all its faults, this still has moments of hip charm.

Up-to-the-minute details of life among the recently 20, but so timely in its references it already seems old-fashioned; its love story is very familiar, though it may seem new to the recently adult.