Why Ethan Hawke Ended Up Loving a Major Role He Used to Resent
Ethan Hawke is known for many iconic roles, but one of the most famous parts he once resented was in Ben Stiller's 1994 film Reality Bites. This movie became a defining comedy about the lives of Generation X slacker culture.
Winona Ryder had already been established as a Gen X icon with hits like Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Bram Stoker's Dracula, while Hawke won over many with his role in Dead Poets Society, where he played a young rebel leading a classroom revolution.
The film follows four college friends navigating their post-graduation struggles. It also marked Ben Stiller's directorial debut. Known for his sharp early 1990s sketch show, The Ben Stiller Show, Stiller featured some of its cast members like Janeane Garofalo and Andy Dick in the movie.
Before release, some viewers hoped Stiller would mock the generation’s exaggerated ennui, urging them to face deserved criticism. Instead, the screenplay by Helen Childress presented an ensemble dramedy in the style of James L. Brooks, portraying flawed yet relatable characters.
"I've always felt ambivalent about Reality Bites because I absolutely loathe Troy."
Among all the characters, Hawke’s portrayal of Troy was the one exception to the otherwise relatable flaws.
Summary
Ethan Hawke's complex feelings towards his role in Reality Bites reflect how a character once resented can come to be appreciated within a nuanced, ensemble story about Generation X life.
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