Storytelling (2001)

Storytelling, a compelling cinematic tapestry, weaves together two disparate narratives, each painting a poignant picture of the struggles and dreams of contemporary youth. The first tale, titled "Fiction", plunges us into the world of Vi, an edgy college student navigating the labyrinth of self-exploitation and abuse. She willingly endures the cruelty of men, including her writing professor, seeking the raw inspiration for her creative writing pursuits. The second narrative, "Non-fiction", introduces us to Toby Oxman, a hapless shoe salesman with the unquenchable ambition to become a renowned documentary filmmaker. His lens is turned toward the Livingston family, a dysfunctional domestic tableau, with a particular focus on Scooby, the eldest son. Scooby is a ticking time bomb of alienation and rebellion, a bisexual high school student who dreams of his own fame. From the somber hallways of academia to the fraught dynamics of a troubled family, Storytelling embarks on an exploration of sex, race, celebrity, and exploitation. The film skillfully navigates the tragicomic terrains of college and high school, past and present, illuminating the winding paths of its hopeful yet conflicted characters. This twin narrative balances angst with aspiration, frustration with ambition, and depression with dreams, reflecting the paradoxes of the youth of today.

Storytelling is a comedy movie featuring John Goodman.

Storytelling is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Kanopy.

It is also possible to buy Storytelling on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.