Film Review: “Linoleum” (SXSW)
By: Joseph Perry (Twitter - Uphill Both Ways Podcast)
Comedian Jim Gaffigan gives a fine serious turn in the science fiction dramedy Linoleum (2022). Writer/director Colin West has crafted a touching feature that will run viewers through a gamut of emotions, destined to leave most with a wry smile and moist eyes by the end.
Gaffigan plays Cameron Edwin, a frustrated astronomer whose flailing children’s science television program is stuck in a midnight slot — until the station’s bigwigs sell their controlling interest to a network and inform Cameron that he is being replaced as a host by successful scientist Kent (also played by Gaffigan). This isn’t the only problem in Cameron’s life, though, as his wife Erin (Rhea Seehorn) has filed for divorce, their teen daughter Nora (Katelyn Nacon) is going through a difficult time in high school and with her gender identity, and their young son, though loving, isn’t speaking.
Odd things happen in Cameron’s life, beginning with his witnessing something fall from the sky and crash into a car driven by a person he describes as a younger, better-looking version of himself. When some space junk lands in the family’s backyard, Cameron sees this as a way to escape the funk of his midlife crisis and to make a legacy for himself by using the parts to assemble a rocket to fly into space, aided by his elderly father Mac (Roger Hendricks Simon).
The proceedings grow more and more fantastical, even when events seem grounded in everyday moments. Linoleum takes viewers on a decidedly unexpected journey, one that I recommend going into as fresh as possible. The family drama and related dialogue feels real, the comedic moments are often infused with a sweet charm, the lead performances — led by Gaffigan’s wonderful work in his dual roles, and aided greatly by strong support from Seehorn, Nacon, and Gabriel Rush as new-kid-in-school Marc, who sets the smitten Nora down a confusing path — are all highly impressive, and the film looks terrific, thanks to super cinematography from Ed Wu.
You may need a few tissues while watching Linoleum, for it is sure to hit a few nostalgia buttons in even the most stoic of viewers.
Linoleum screened as part of SXSW, which took place March 11–20, 2022 in Austin, Texas.
Joseph Perry is one of the hosts of When It Was Cool’s exclusive Uphill Both Ways podcast (whenitwascool.com/up-hill-both-ways-podcast/). He also writes for the film websites Gruesome Magazine (gruesomemagazine.com), The Scariest Things (scariesthings.com), Horror Fuel (horrorfuel.com), B&S About Movies (bandsaboutmovies.com) and Diabolique Magazine (diaboliquemagazine.com), and film magazines Phantom of the Movies’ VideoScope (videoscopemag.com) and Drive-In Asylum (etsy.com/shop/GroovyDoom).
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