Why Ethan Hawke Ended Up Loving a Major Role He Used to Resent
Ethan Hawke has portrayed many iconic characters, but one of his most famous roles is one he initially resented. When Ben Stiller's Reality Bites premiered in February 1994, it quickly became the defining comedy about the slacker lives of Generation X.
Winona Ryder emerged as the Gen X queen through her performances in classics like Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Bram Stoker's Dracula. Meanwhile, Ethan Hawke was admired by the angsty youth after leading a classroom revolution in Dead Poets Society.
The film follows four college friends grappling with post-graduation challenges. It marked Ben Stiller's feature directorial debut, building on his sharp sketch comedy work in The Ben Stiller Show. Several cast members from the show, including Janeane Garofalo and Andy Dick, also appeared in the movie.
Before release, some hoped Stiller would mock Generation X's affected ennui, expecting a harsh critique of their moody, aimless behavior. However, Stiller chose a different approach. Helen Childress' screenplay crafted an ensemble dramedy reminiscent of James L. Brooks' style, focusing on relatable character flaws.
"Every single character is flawed in relatable ways — except, maybe, for Hawke's Troy. I've always felt ambivalent about Reality Bites because I absolutely loathe Troy."
Despite his initial disdain for the character of Troy, Ethan Hawke ultimately grew to appreciate the role's complexity and the film's honest portrayal of youth struggles.
Author's summary: Ethan Hawke transformed his early resentment of his role in Reality Bites into appreciation, recognizing the film's nuanced depiction of flawed, relatable youth navigating life after college.