ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, February 19, 1994                   TAG: 9402190065
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`REALITY' HAS A REALISTIC CHANCE TO BE A HIT

"Reality Bites" is a romantic comedy that's carefully aimed at a young audience, but the characters and their situation have universal appeal. "Generation X" and its "slackers" aren't that much different from '50s beatniks. In fact, those similarities are highlighted in the film.

The story is set in Houston where four friends, newly graduated from college, are trying to find their way in a world of uncertain employment. Lelaina (Winona Ryder) seems to have the best prospects. She has landed a position at a local television station. Her housemate Vickie (Janeane Garofalo) is moving up in retail sales at the Gap. Sammy (Steve Zahn) hasn't quite figured out how to tell his mother he's gay.

Their friend Troy (Ethan Hawke), a witty and sarcastic "philosopher groupie," has just been fired from his most recent position at a newsstand. Sammy helps him move in with the girls. They complain to Troy that "All you do is eat and couch and fondle the remote control," but they don't really mind having him around.

The reason is simple: Though they think they're only friends, Troy and Lelaina love each other. Just as they're about to figure that out, Michael (director Ben Stiller) shows up. He's a hotshot young executive with an MTV-style channel who's attracted to Lelaina and the short video interviews - "reality bites" - that she tapes with her pals.

Helen Childress's smart script is filled with topical references from divorced parents with new partners to TV programs and pop music from the '70s and '80s. Those may be touchstones for twentysomethings, but they don't exclude other audiences. Troy and Lelaina are appealing characters, instantly recognizable to anyone who has spent time on a college campus.

First-time director Stiller makes the transition to the big screen from TV - he has produced shows for the Fox network and MTV - with apparent ease. He's the son of comedians Stiller and Meara (his mother has a nice cameo), and he seems comfortable with the material. Throughout, the humor is understated but effective. To be fair though, the film's loose structure and gaudy visuals make his job easier. This kind of romance stands or falls on casting. Here, it's almost perfect.

Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke are two of the most attractive and talented actors in the business, and, despite their youth, two of the most experienced. These roles bring out their best. The edginess between them is the spark that drives the film. If the story is conventional and almost completely lacking in surprises, then those are small flaws.

"Reality Bites" looks like the first sleeper hit of the year. Reality Bites: ***

A Universal release playing at the Valley View Mall 6. 99 min. Rated PG-13 for subject matter, some strong language, drug use. 


 by CNB