Director Todd Solondz avoids controversy in 'Dark Horse'

Writer/director Todd Solondz has made a name for himself with controversial films that tackle tough topics such as pedophilia, bullying, abuse and abortion.

By Solondz's standards, his latest film, "Dark Horse," is pretty tame. It's about 30-something man-child Abe (relative unknown Jordan Gelber), who lives with his parents (played by Christopher Walken and Mia Farrow), works for his dad, collects action figures and laments that he's now too old to be on "American Idol."

At a wedding, he meets Miranda (Selma Blair), with whom he starts a relationship. But she's got her own dysfunctions and things spiral down from there.

amNewYork spoke with Solondz, 52, who is also an adjunct professor at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, about the film.