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Storytelling

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Storytelling (2002)

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Reviews Counted:89

Fresh:47

Rotten:42

Average Rating:5.6/10

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

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jul 16, 2002

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Storytelling

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
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Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Film Threat

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

Awfully funny. And I do mean awfully.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
10/22/01
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Solondz is so intent on hammering home his message that he forgets to make it entertaining.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
05/15/02
Andrew Howe
Andrew Howe
eFilmCritic.com

Todd Solondz: The world doesn't need him around, but as long as he's here we may as well have some laughs.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
01/25/02
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

Director Todd Solondz has made a movie about critical reaction to his two previous movies, and about his responsibility to the characters that he creates.

Full Review Source: Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus | comment Comment
02/24/02
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer
Bryant Frazer's Deep Focus

There are unnervingly fine performances from Selma Blair as the aspiring fiction writer and from Mark Webber as Scooby.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
02/07/02
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It feels like a transitional film for a director with something to get off his chest, and whose best work is hopefully yet to come.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
02/07/02
Chris Vognar
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Solondz is a courageous social commentator and a canny provocateur at the same time. He'll never get to Hollywood if he stays on this track, but cinema will be a lot duller if he ever mends his incendiary ways.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
03/09/02
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

It's meant to be bold and shocking...

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
04/04/02
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

With Storytelling, Solondz has made another deeply personal film while treading familiar misanthropic ground.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
02/15/02
Derek Tse
Derek Tse
Jam! Movies

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
09/18/02
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

That Storytelling has value cannot be denied. Not even Solondz's thirst for controversy, sketchy characters and immature provocations can fully succeed at cheapening it.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
02/24/02
Eric Harrison
Eric Harrison
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Going over the top while sustaining a poker-faced tone, Solondz makes sure that whether you love or hate what you see, you can't ignore it.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
01/25/02
Gene Seymour
Gene Seymour
Newsday
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Brutally funny -- and not a little horrifying.

Full Review Source: San Jose Mercury News | comment Comment
02/07/02
Glenn Lovell
Glenn Lovell
San Jose Mercury News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Solondz is a master of backing you into a queasy corner and tickling you until you puke, a dubious but noteworthy talent.

comment Comment
01/24/02
Gregory Weinkauf
Gregory Weinkauf
New Times

With a confrontational stance, Todd Solondz takes aim on political correctness and suburban families.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
09/25/01
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
12/23/01
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic

The leanest and meanest of Solondz's misanthropic comedies.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
01/22/02
J. Hoberman
J. Hoberman
Village Voice
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
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