Plenty ofslice-of-life moviesfrom the 1990s stood out as these stories were grounded in well-developed characters, nuanced moments, and life circumstances that mimic the everyday happenings of that era. A slice-of-life movie is a film that gives time to the small, seemingly insignificant occurrences that make up day-to-day existence rather than focusing on grand, dramatic plot points. This was seen in1990s cult classicsthat represent the slacker mentalities of wayward Generation X 20-somethings and heartfelt dramas focusing on the life histories of their characters.
Some of thebiggest movie stars of the 1990sstarred in powerful slice-of-life stories that captured the cultural zeitgeist of the last decade of the 20th century. As a decade of great change that came just before the technological revolution of widespread use of the internet, the more grounded nature ofthese movies captured a relatively recently bygone era that reflected that time’s social and cultural landscape. From independent releases by DIY directors to Oscar-winning performances from icons like Jack Nicholson, the 1990s were packed withincredible slice-of-life movies.
10Slacker (1991)
Directed by Richard Linklater
Richard Linklater helped kickstart the independent film movement of the 1990swith the release ofSlacker.Alongside Steven Soderbergh’sSex, Lies, and Videotape,Slacker’sDIY attitude, which was primarily produced through funds gathered from Linklater’s family and friends (viaAustin Chronicle), inspired other filmmakers to do the same and proved a director didn’t need a big studio behind them to get a movie made. Set over just one day,Slackergave a slice-of-life insight into the experiences of an ensemble cast of local misfits and eccentrics in Austin, Texas.
AsSlackermoved through the various conversations of mostly under-30 bohemians, it gave viewers a brief glimpse into their lifestyle without staying with one group for more than a few minutes. With the appearance of a UFO buff who insists the U.S. has been on the Moon since the 1950s and an elderly anarchist befriending the man trying to rob his house,Slackermixed oddball humor with political and philosophical intrigue. WhileSlackerdidn’t beat viewers over the head with its thematic depth, most characters' feelings of social exclusion or political marginalization gave these vignettes an overarching narrative.
Reality Bites
Cast
Reality Bites, directed by Ben Stiller, explores the lives of four recent college graduates as they navigate the challenges of adulthood. Stars Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, and Janeane Garofalo portray friends struggling with employment, relationships, and personal identity in an early 1990s cultural landscape. The film captures the angst and disorientation of Generation X while providing a candid look at youth in transition.
The 1990s were the decades of the cynical, disenfranchised, and slacker members of Generation X, whose young people were influenced by the emergence of subcultures like punk, grunge, and independent filmmaking. One movie that truly showcased the wayward lives of recent college graduates during this time wasReality Bites, a slice-of-life rom-com featuring some of the most notable actors from this era. With Ben Stiller, Ethan Hawke, and Wionna Ryder,Reality Biteswas a who’s who of the 1990s up-and-coming celebrities and a powerful depiction of young adults' career and lifestyle challenges.
With Ryder as an aspiring videographer making a documentary about her roommates, the very premise ofReality Bitesinvited itself to provide insight into the day-to-day experiences of its down-and-out characters. From Troy’s (Hawke) aimless existence in minimum wage jobs to Vickie’s (Janeane Garofalo) string of one-night stands,Reality Bitesshowcased characters who struggled to find meaning in their work and relationships. While Stiller’s yuppie Michael represented someone with more direction in life, as he worked as an executive at an MTV-style channel called Your Face, it seemed every character inReality Biteslacked something vital.
Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt won Best Actor and Best Actress Oscarsfor their incredible performances inAs Good as It Gets. This slice-of-life rom-com felt like a breath of fresh air in the genre, as rather than focusing on some grand, outrageous narrative, it was more about the everyday interactions and character conflicts of its cast. This gaveAs Good as It Getsa more intimate feeling as viewers could connect more with the misanthropic OCD-suffering romance novelist Melvin Udall (Nicholson) and patient waitress Carol Connelly (Hunt), one of the few people who could tolerate his rude behavior.
As Good as It Getsprioritized character-driven storytelling as Melvin’s mental health struggles were contrasted with Carol’s difficulties in looking after her asthmatic son. With a narrative that was rooted in everyday conflicts and the emotional struggles of Melvin and Carol,As Good as It Getsoffered an emotional connection that felt more authentic and believable to the audience. It’s no surprise that its lead performers earned Oscars and thatAs Good as It Getswas even nominated for Best Picture, as it was an astounding example of a slice-of-life story told well.
The Straight Story
The Straight Story, directed by David Lynch, is a biographical film depicting Alvin Straight’s journey across the Midwest on a lawn mower to reconcile with his ailing brother. Richard Farnsworth stars as the elderly Alvin, joined by Sissy Spacek as his supportive daughter, Rose. Based on a true story, the film explores themes of family, perseverance, and redemption.
Whilecult filmmaker David Lynchwas known for his surreal and often dreamlike mysteries likeBlue VelvetandMulholland Drive, one of his most grounded movies wasThe Straight Story. This beautiful true story was a slice-of-life look at Alvin Straight’s (Richard Farnsworth) 1994 journey across Iowa and Wisconsin on a lawn mower. After hearing that his estranged brother had a stroke and was unable to travel, Alvin decided to undertake the 240-mile journey himself on a vehicle that drove at a maximum speed of five miles per hour.
As a meditative look at family, aging, and the passage of time,The Straight Storyfocused on the little moments in lifeand the assortment of characters and helpers that Alvin met along the way. As a beautiful piece of Americana,The Straight Storymay at first look like Lynch’s most mainstream film, yet his idiosyncratic style was clear throughout. This was not just a story of Alvin’s journey through rural America but a contemplative and sentimental look at the many lives and unextraordinary existences that make up day-to-day life across the United States.
The Snapperwas a cult classic Irish comedy focusing on a working-class Dublin family called the Curleys and their experiences after the daughter Sharon finds out she’s pregnant. Due to have a child with a man she loathed,The Snappershowcased Sharon’s refusal to tell her family the identity of the father, which causes drama with her parents, brothers, and even employers.The Snapperwas part of a trilogy of movies adapted from the works of Roddy Doyle, which, along withThe CommitmentsandThe Van, highlighted the social and political culture of 1990s Ireland.
As a 20-year-old, unwed Irish woman, Sharon’s pregnancy became the talk of her tight-knit community. The family dynamics and everyday tensions ofThe Snapper’sdomestic story center on ordinary people in a realistic situation. Colm Meaney gave a great performance as Sharon’s father, Des Curley, as his emotional outbursts around how his daughter’s actions embarrassed the family was in full swing. Most of all,The Snapperdepicted community life and how Sharon still has a supporting system backing her up, despite the community’s incessant gossiping.
Empire Records
Empire Records is a 1995 coming-of-age comedy-drama directed by Allan Moyle. The film centers around a group of young employees working at an independent record store, grappling with personal issues and the potential corporate takeover of their cherished workplace. The ensemble cast includes Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, and Ethan Embry, who navigate the complexities of friendship and adolescence within a single day.
Music was a truly vital component of understanding life for young people during the 1990s, and nowhere was this better encapsulated thanEmpire Records. Set over just one day in Delaware independent record store, this slice-of-life story gave insight into the shop’s employees and their goal to earn enough money to stop the store from turning into a branch of Music Town, a large national chain. As the punks, hippies, and grungers of its story all come together during the highly eventful day,Empire Recordsembodied the anti-establishment values of its Generation X cast of characters.
With plenty of quirky, lighthearted humor,Empire Recordstook the tenets of 1980s teen movies and updated them with 1990s characters struggling to find meaning in their day-to-day retail existences. With a strong early performance from Renée Zellweger and as one of Liv Tyler’s first movies,Empire Recordswas populated with actors who would become much bigger names as the decade proceeded. As a slice-of-life look at alternative youth culture during the 1990s, it’s no surpriseEmpire Recordshas become a cult classic.
Now and Then
Now and Then is a coming-of-age film directed by Lesli Linka Glatter. Set in both the 1970s and the 1990s, it follows four women who reunite and reminisce about their childhood adventures and formative experiences. The film stars Christina Ricci, Thora Birch, Gaby Hoffmann, and Ashleigh Aston Moore as the younger versions of the characters, with Demi Moore, Rosie O’Donnell, Melanie Griffith, and Rita Wilson playing their adult counterparts.
As its title suggested,Now and Thentook place in two timelines as four grown women in 1995 recounted a pivotal summer they shared together as teens in 1970. AlthoughNow and Thenreceived poor reviews upon release, it did well at the box office and has since earned cult status for its powerful depiction of girlhood and female friendships. With a talented cast that included Christina Ricci, Rosie O’Donnell, Demi Moore, and Rita Wilson,Now and Thenplayed out like a female-centered answer to the 1980s coming-of-age classicStand By Me.
Now and Thenstood out among other female-centered coming-of-age stories for the depth with which it showcased the often neglected complexities of girlhood. With fully realized characters,Now and Thenfeatured a main cast grappling with themes of grief, death, growing up, and friendship. As a slice-of-life story about an important moment in these girls' lives,Now and Thenpowerfully conveyed both the excitement and resistance of young girls on the precipice of becoming young women.
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape follows a young man in a small town burdened with caring for his obese mother and mentally impaired brother. Working at a grocery store and entangled in an affair, Gilbert’s predictable life is disrupted by the arrival of the free-spirited Becky.
At just 19 years old,Leonardo DiCaprio earned his first Academy Award nomination for his performance inWhat’s Eating Gilbert Grape?This slice-of-life coming-of-age story starred Johnny Depp as the titular Gilbert Grape and DiCaprio as his mentally disabled younger brother in a rural story of domestic responsibility. With a morbidly obese mother and a sibling who needed constant attention,What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?highlighted the day-to-day complexities of being the one person forced to carry the weight of an entire family on their shoulders.
As a sentimental story categorized by everyday struggles,What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?was particularly effective due to the sheer power of its performances. DiCaprio particularly deserved praise for his Oscar-worthy performance, although it would be decades before he finally earned the elusive award for his performance inThe Revenantin 2015. By giving a bird’s-eye view into the complex dynamics of a struggling family,What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?was a realistic and poignant slice-of-life story.
Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes is a comedy-drama film directed by Jon Avnet and released in 1991. An unhappy housewife visits her husband’s aunt at a nursing home, where she befriends an older woman who fills her life with hope and possibility as she regales with tales of her fascinating past.
By focusing on the small, relatable moments that shape a life,Fried Green Tomatoesstood out as a deeply moving slice-of-life story about the friendship between a dissatisfied housewife and an 82-year-old widow in 1980s Birmingham, Alabama. Based on Fannie Flagg’s 1987 novelFried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, this comedy-drama was led by two extraordinary performances from previous Oscar winners, Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy. Through flashbacks,Fried Green Tomatoesdepicts the heartfelt beauty in day-to-day occurrences and the complex relationships that develop through everyday interactions.
As a well-acted and sharply written story,Fried Green Tomatoesovercame its predictable narrative by focusing on the real emotion at the heart of its story. With a focus on the small sadnesses that life brings as characters die and leave their loved ones behind,Fried Green Tomatoesshowcased that movies don’t need big action set pieces to be emotionally resonant. As a charming story that was not afraid to deal with dark themes, Fried Green Tomatoes invited viewers to connect deeply with its well-rounded characters.
1Clerks (1994)
Directed by Kevin Smith
Clerkswas the definitive slice-of-life movie of the 1990s, as it combined the day-to-day frustrations of retail employment with the slacker mentality of Generation Xers during this era. By focusing one day in the lives of the Quick Stop convenience store employees Dante Hicks (Brian O’Halloran) and Randall Graves (Jeff Anderson),Clerkscaptured the frustration of retail workas they encountered embittered customers, dealt with personal crises, and begrudgingly accepted the presence of the drug dealing duo Jay and Silent Bob who loiter outside their store.
With a clever script packed with quotable moments,Clerkssignaled Kevin Smith as an important new voice in indie cinema as he financed the film himself by maxing out multiple credit cards (viaCollider.) WhileClerksacted as the inception point for a sprawling cinematic universe called Viewaskew, this slice-of-life movie was originally planned as a young director and former convenience store clerk’s autobiographical showcase of his experiences and unique sense of humor. A true cult classic,Clerkswas a landmark release in independent filmmaking that influenced countless dialogue-heavyslice-of-lifecomedies that came after it.
