Ethan Hawke gave Winona Ryder a very special thank you message at the 25th reunion and showing of the Ben Stiller film Reality Bites at the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition to those who acted in the movie, the panel included Ben Stiller who acted and directed the movie, producer Michael Shamberg, executive producer  Stacey Sher and writer Helen Childress. Janeane Garofalo was also in attendance, but Steve Zahn was absent.

Reality Bites depicted a perfect portrait of Generation X who was embarking upon a new world governed by social media, the birth of the Internet and bridging the gap between the grunge scene and the new millennials. The movie starred Winona Rider as Lelaina Pierce, Ethan Hawke as Tony Dyer, Janeane Garofalo as Vickie Miner, Steve Zahn as Sammy Gay, and Ben Stiller as Michael Grates. Though it is a romantic comedy, it has become a cult classic favorited by many who revere it for its social commentary on the X generation.

Page Six reported on the story and quoted Ethan Hawke for giving thanks to Winona for getting him the role.

“I’m indebted. Winona believed in me. Winona got me this job. This job changed the trajectory of my career entirely … I’m just so grateful to you Winona.”

You may see a video clip from the panel where they discussed meeting each other and Winona Ryder’s part in helping the cast assemble in the player below.

In addition to the panel, Lisa Loeb performed her hit song “Stay” at the Tribeca festival and the lyrics to the song are a perfect match for the film’s plot. As Leilani and Troy navigate life after college and deal with the realities of growing up, casual sex, and finding one’s place in the world, the two fall in love but try to deny it.

It is only once they are apart that they can clearly see how much they mean to the other and that they truly are in love.

Lisa Loeb’s Tribeca performance of “Stay” was flawless and it’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the song was topping charts and on the official soundtrack for Reality Bites.

Check out Lisa Loeb performing “Stay” below.

We surprised the #Tribeca2019 audience at our 25th anniversary reunion celebration of REALITY BITES with a special @LisaLoeb performance of “Stay,” the iconic song that closes @RedHourBen’s Gen X touchstone. Check it out:

— Tribeca (@Tribeca) May 5, 2019

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Are you a fan of Reality Bites? What are your thoughts about the 25 anniversary Tribeca screening and panel?