Storytelling
		Review by: Donnie Cock
		http://www.storytellingmovie.com/
		Written and Directed by Todd Solondz

The other night I talked a friend of mine into going to see the new Todd Solondz film. Like good-ol¹ anal sex, it took quite a bit of coaxing. I think Solondz previous films might of put apprehension into my friend¹s mind. I think back to when I first saw Happiness. I have to say that I did have an inclination to bathe and or wipe all the dirty away. So, I can relate to some kind of apprehension. In all honesty, I have to admit I have a sadistic side that loves that dirty, dirty feeling Solondz films seem to bring.

Storytelling consists of two separate stories. The first is titled "fiction." It stars Selma Blair and Leo Fitzpatrick as lovers. They both attend a creative writing course at some generic college in the year 1985. Love goes awry when Marcus, played by Leo, gets a bad critique in class. He is offended that Selma, Vi, doesn't stand up for him. That evening Vi goes off the the local bar to find retribution and encounters their creative writing professor. They engages in "conversation" then conversation becomes rape. Vi writes a story about the evening and it is heavily criticized by a majority of the class.

(With all of this info, I don't want you to feel as though I have spoiled the movie. Solondz brings to the screen a beautiful use of sarcasm and irony which takes center stage compared to any action. I don't feel as though my descriptions have completly ruined the movie, yet. Just trying to rationalization...)

The second story pertains to Scooby. He is a high school student with no real ambition except to become the next Conan O'brian. Scooby is ³discovered² by an alleged documentary film director, played by Paul Giamatti. Giamatti's goal is to make a heart felt piece on high school life and pressure. Maybe to relive something he has lost? not sure. On a side note, John Goodman is a Bad-ass. He Scooby's father in the film and at times made me flinch, well not really. I think I just find him as unreasonable as my father when I was in highschool. Anyway, Scooby¹s life becomes celluloid and at the same time slowly crumbles. What seemed to be the good intentions of the documentary director soon turns towards being exploitive. Without giving too much away it's probably safe to say that the documentary is going to be a hit.

Critics have said that this is Solondz most commercial work yet. I really don't see that. Solondz did censor the sex scene in "fiction" part. The audience thought the big red box covering the scene was funny. It was, kind of, not really? I imagine that if the scene was exposed, the only word I would be able to use as description would be brutal. He censored his film to get an R rating. Blockbuster will now carry it, unlike "Happiness," which was released with an NR rating. I guess Storytelling could be considered commercial in that Solondz wants Blockbuster to carry it. It now has the potential to earn more money and that's the only way I can see the film as being commercial. The subject matter and narrative never really resembles all of those formulaic poo-poo movies.

If you have seen Solondz previous films and enjoyed them, then I am sure "Storytelling" will defiantly be worth seeing. If you haven't seen any of his previous films then I suggest when viewing to bring an open mind and a bottle of whiskey.