Fast Food Romeo

'Fast Food Romeo' reminds us what innocence in storytelling feels like

Are you as tired as I am of being dragged to the dark side all the time by modern books and films? Okay, there’s value in the cautionary tale, but that’s not what we see most often these days. The despair and depravity of “Game of Thrones,” for example, didn’t lead anyone to question their own choices. It seemed to wallow in the dark for no other reason than we love the dark.

Storytelling wasn’t always like that and as writers we certainly don’t have to keep it alive now. It’s time to remember that the hero’s journey covers a lot of ground, not all of it crowded with demons. I’d like to enter into evidence a goofy short film I wrote and directed over a decade ago. One way to describe this story is that it’s corny and hopelessly naive. I prefer to call it innocent and really fun. When did we decide that’s not what we want from our stories?

Do yourself a favor and pay up 10 minutes of your time. And, as always, be grateful for the actors and other artists who invested their talent in the film.