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Storytelling (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 86
Fresh: 47
Rotten:39
Average Rating: 5.7/10
Rated: R [See Full Rating] for strong sexual content, language and some drug use
Runtime: 87 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Jan 25, 2002 Limited
Box Office: $850,758
Synopsis: Director Todd Solondz (WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, HAPPINESS) presents this characteristically bleak and darkly comic drama in two distinct parts. The first story, "Fiction" stars Selma Blair as Vi,... Director Todd Solondz (WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, HAPPINESS) presents this characteristically bleak and darkly comic drama in two distinct parts. The first story, "Fiction" stars Selma Blair as Vi, a confused university student who engages in an impulsive tryst with her Pulitzer Prize-winning professor (Robert Wisdom) after arguing with her cerebral palsy-afflicted boyfriend (Leo Fitzpatrick). The second (and longer) tale, "Non-Fiction," stars Paul Giamatti as Toby, a down-on-his-luck documentary filmmaker who turns his camera on Scooby (Mark Webber), an unmotivated teenager, and his suburban New Jersey family. At times even more controversial and confrontational than Solondz's previous films, STORYTELLING bluntly addresses issues such as race, sex, physical impairment, education, censorship, and exploitation, while not-so-subtly referencing and parodying both AMERICAN BEAUTY and AMERICAN MOVIE (whose own Mike Schank appears in the film). Cannily aware of both his admirers and detractors, Solondz has taken the intriguing step of criticizing his own work within the creative confines of the two stories. As with HAPPINESS, the director has assembled an impressive ensemble cast that also includes John Goodman, Julie Hagerty, Franka Potente, and Lupe Ontiveros. As a counterpoint to the often-glum proceedings, a bright, airy soundtrack is provided Belle and Sebastian and songwriter Nathan Larson. [More]
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Selma Blair, Mark Webber, Leo Fitzpatrick
Starring: Paul Giamatti, Selma Blair, Mark Webber, Leo Fitzpatrick, Robert Wisdom, John Goodman, Julie Hagerty, Noah Fleiss, Jonathan Osser, Lupe Ontiveros, Aleksa Palladino, Mike Schank, Franka Potente, Xander Berkeley
Director: Todd Solondz
Director: Todd Solondz
Screenwriter: Todd Solondz
Producer: Ted Hope, Christine Vachon
Composer: Nathan Larson
Studio: Fine Line Features
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Reviews for Storytelling
The film is marked by the same darkly humorous sensibility of rest of Solondz's work, excpet that the novelty is gone and the acerbic vision is now contained in a fractured text marred by poor storytelling and shifting tone--it's not easy to shock anymore
The first tale of woe makes a sharp short film by itself, but the second is a stretch.
In a scabrous follow-up to Happiness, Todd Solondz once again crafts a movie easier to admire than it is to like.
It's never less than interesting, that's for sure, but I didn't like it.
While Solondz tries and tries hard, Storytelling fails to provide much more insight than the inside column of a torn book jacket.
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