Linoleum

There are a lot of little stories and side plots and characters that are subtly intertwined and come together in the end. That may not make a lot of sense, but it might once you watch the movie. I can't imagine how someone could have the creativity to think of this movie, let alone write it. It kind of renews your faith in movies as a whole; a creative, original work can still be put out there.

This movie is categorized as comedy, drama, and sci-fi, but it's actually mostly drama. Also, I was expecting Jim Gaffigan to be wacky and funny, and he is quirky and humorous in the movie, but his role is mostly serious and he does a surprisingly good job.

SXSW 2022 Greetings again from the darkness. For those of us who spend entirely too many hours of our life watching movies, it's always a welcome pleasure to stumble upon one that is creative and innovative and entertaining. The first feature film from writer-director Colin West is all that, plus it's funny and touching and features some science. As an added bonus, it features the always great Jim Gaffigan in a dual starring role.

Mr. Gaffigan stars as Cameron, a middle-aged guy who writes, acts, and films an educational children's science show for Public Access TV titled, "Above and Beyond". Imagine a blend of Carl Sagan and Bill Nye the Science Guy. It's a show he and his wife Erin (Rhea Seehorn, "Better Call Saul") started together, but now she works at the local Air & Space Museum as the two await the finalization of their divorce.

Cameron has been waiting patiently for a preferred time slot, and one day his producer delivers news that's both good and bad. The show is being picked up for distribution, but they have hired a new host. In what is anything but the oddest thing to happen so far in the story, Cameron can't help but notice how much he and the new host look alike - although the personality differences are startling. It turns out the new guy bought the house right across the street from Cameron and Erin, and new guy has a teenage son, Marc (Gabriel Rush), who awkwardly befriends their daughter Nora (Katelyn Nacon).

When a satellite crashes in his yard, Cameron seizes the opportunity to become the astronaut he always dreamt of being by attempting to re-build the tangled mess into a custom rocket ship. Obviously I have left out many details in an effort to avoid spoilers for a story that is at times surreal, and can be best enjoyed going in cold. Other familiar faces appearing briefly in supporting roles include Tony Shalhoub, Amy Hargreaves, and Michael Ian Black. We have seen parallel universe films before, but filmmaker Colin West treats us to something a bit different. It may seem like a low-key affair, but "it's not that simple." Narrative Feature Competition Category - SXSW.

Saw this tonight at the first night of the Columbus Film Festival and Columbus local writer/director Colin West has created a stunning film.

Flowing through a beautiful film with a warm tone, West creates a world where dreams are followed, family is important, and the best in human nature ultimately wins out. Marvelous performances from Gaffigan. Katelyn Nacon, and Michael Ian Black (with a short notable performance by Tony Shalhoub) pay off with a heart warming ending that reminds me why I love movies.

There's a lot to digest here as the movie moves though sci-fi and fantasy while depicting typical days in our daily lives. But stick with this film though it's somewhat slow second act for the ending which put a big smile on my face as I walked out of the theater.

Jim Gaffigan plays Cameron Edwin, a gentle man, and aspiring astronaut with a daughter and wife who is to soon divorce him. When the job he loves as a children's tv science program presenter is taken from him, he decides to do something special - with the help of his ailing father he sets out to build a rocket to take him into space. Strange little things start taking place which Cameron doesn't understand including an old woman's frequent appearance and the fact that the father of his daughter's new friend looks very much like Cameron.

Sweet natured, rather lovely film with a glowing, fatherly turn from Gaffigan. The events, whilst strange and often without motive, reason or real direction don't trouble the viewer and all in all it's an enjoyable, bewildering but pleasant journey. Where it will really get to you is in the clever and slightly heart wrenching climactic 15 minutes where everything that has occurred is explained - and it doesn't disappoint.

The biggest adventure is life itself, Linoleum posits. To me, comedy is not the label for this film, any more than it is a fitting label for daily life. I do like how science is worked in, but this isn't science fiction. Not a tragedy either, It's mostly about the brevity of life, the importance of human connection, the decisions we worry over, and how lucky are those who are loved. Quite touching, even if a few elements are drawn excessively when a lighter touch would have sufficed. The film's ending is bittersweet, especially for audiences past their youth. Though I went in expecting absurdism or fantasy, I am not disappointed with the bittersweet ride I got.