Gen-X people - "Reality Bites"

[theantiquetiger]

OK all you Generation X members, I just watched "Reality Bites" for the first time in 15 years. I thought this was the coolest movie back in the day, but now realized Gen-Xer's were nothing but spoiled brats pretending to be held down by the restraints of the world. They (we) were just lazy. We had everything handed to us by the Baby-Boomers, and when we grew up, we still wanted it handed to us.

The best (smartest) character in that movie was Ben Stiller's character. He was meant to be the anti-GenX, but now I realize, he did it correctly. I know he dropped out of college, but he is a very successful business man, etc, while the others graduate college and then wait for their silver plater.

[jimbutsu]

All I know is Squeeze and Crowded House were both on the soundtrack, so we're good.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

....but now realized Gen-Xer's were nothing but spoiled brats pretending to be held down by the restraints of the world. They (we) were just lazy. We had everything handed to us by the Baby-Boomers, and when we grew up, we still wanted it handed to us.

The only thing I can really say about that is...I've heard my grandparents say almost the exact thing about my parents' generation. And I wouldn't doubt that my great-grandparents thought the same thing about the next generation and so on. It's a scary day when you think or say something and then realise, "Oh my god, I sound just like my parents" It happens for all of us eventually I guess.

[Goblin19]

I'm part of that Gen-X and I always thought that about the movie. I hated Ethan Hawke's character in it and resented the actor for several years until I saw him do some good work later on. Ben Stiller's character was a better person than him, but was looked down on for his beliefs.

[theantiquetiger]

The only thing I can really say about that is...I've heard my grandparents say almost the exact thing about my parents' generation. And I wouldn't doubt that my great-grandparents thought the same thing about the next generation and so on. It's a scary day when you think or say something and then realise, "Oh my god, I sound just like my parents" It happens for all of us eventually I guess.

I am not putting down the Gen-X group from the outside, I am (was) a Gen-X'er. Watching that movie yesterday made me realize what idiots we were.

[ctc]

>Watching that movie yesterday made me realize what idiots we were.

You are now officially old.

I never liked that movie; or any of the 80's whiney, angsty teen films; even though I WAS a teen back then. I grew up with a literate, politically aware and worldly family, and picked up those ideals while quite young. So stuff like this film seemed really intorverted, self-absorbed and inconsequential.

...and eventually everyone learns that the world is a lot bigger than their own life, and they tend to feel the same. It's an age thing; not a specific generational thing.

...and once you have that realization, you're offically old.

Don C.

[huedell]

couldn't you have used the word "mature" or "grown up" Don?

"old" has such a negative connotation

Its interesting for me ---I always resented the fact that my own mother
defined me as a "rebel" and the reason I resented her words was that
I never wanted to be that "rebel without a cause"
type (it seemed too phony)---

but

I also always have been VERY self-centered
and blame the world/God for a lot of my problems---so, truthfully, I don't
know where I stand

I WILL say that I think that anyone that related to HAWKE'S character over STILLER'S
well---I probably wouldn't get along with 'em

[nvmbrsdoom5]

I am not putting down the Gen-X group from the outside, I am (was) a Gen-X'er. Watching that movie yesterday made me realize what idiots we were.

Oh I'm in agreement with you, I'm just saying that it's funny how we all go through that at some point. I don't disagree that we Gen X'ers were idiots in alot of cases. I'm just saying that it's easy to see it that way once we're older and wiser, and can reflect differently not only on our own youth but also have the tendency to look at the youth of today and think of them as all being "spoiled idiots" haha.

Honestly I haven't seen that movie in ages, but I recall being rather annoyed by it and the characters in it when it came out so I imagine I'd feel even moreso now.