I was really looking forward to "Storytelling", because Solondz's last film "Happiness" was one of the most original and dark comedies I'd seen in ages. But despite featuring some strong performances and good ideas, overall this is a disappointment.

If anything, Solondz seems to have lost some of the skill he showed with "Happiness". This feels more like an early John Waters movie than the work of a mid-career indie. Solondz addresses just about every taboo subject available, but there's no great wit or depth to keep your attention from wandering.

There are moments when the director's talent shines through, but the film as a whole doesn't quite ring true, which is a problem when you're dealing with such difficult subjects. Whereas with "Happiness" he seemed to know what he wanted to say and how to say it, here the efforts to address questions about the likes of race, disability and art don't quite come off.

An interesting but frustrating effort.

Want another opinion? Take a look at our three-star review.