Storytelling is a 2001 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz. The film is divided into two parts, "Fiction" and "Non-fiction," which explore complex themes of identity, race, class, and sexuality.
In "Fiction," a high school student named Marcus (Leo Fitzpatrick) struggles to fit in with his wealthy, upper-middle-class classmates. Marcus aspires to be a writer, but he constantly faces rejection from his peers and teachers. His only solace comes from his relationship with Vi (Selma Blair), a blind girl who listens to him read his stories. However, when Marcus finally gets his work published in the school literary magazine, his success comes at a great cost to Vi.
In "Non-fiction," a college student named Toby (Paul Giamatti) is struggling to find meaning in his life. Toby is a documentary filmmaker who decides to make a film about an upper-middle-class family, the Livingstons. The patriarch of the family, Mr. Livingston (John Goodman), is a successful TV producer, but he is also an abusive husband and father. As Toby becomes more involved with the family, he discovers the dark secrets that lie beneath their seemingly perfect facade.
Throughout the film, Solondz uses his trademark dark humor to explore uncomfortable topics such as racism, rape, and euthanasia. The film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics praising its boldness and insight into human nature, while others criticized its bleakness and nihilistic tone. Despite the controversy, Storytelling remains a powerful and thought-provoking film that challenges audiences to confront some of society's most taboo subjects.
