Linoleum – a movie review by Alex First
A quirky, feel-good, sci-fi comedic drama, Linoleum concerns a decent man of science in Ohio who has always aspired to become an astronaut.
He is Cameron Edwin (Jim Gaffigan), and he hosts a local, late-night children’s TV science show titled “Above & Beyond”.
One day a strange thing happens – a red sports car crash lands on its roof in front of him, seemingly having fallen from space.
If that isn’t bizarre enough, it contains a man named Kent Armstrong (Jim Gaffigan), who very much resembles him.
For a couple of years, Edwin has been promised a better time slot for his program, but then he is blindsided and sidelined.
The program has been picked up by the network, with a different host, namely his doppelgänger and if Edwin chooses to stay on, it will be as its creative consultant.
All this goes down as his wife Erin (Rhea Seehorn) – who used to host “Above and Beyond” with Edwin – is preparing to leave him.
As yet, though, they haven’t told their children – a headstrong daughter Nora (Katelyn Nacon) and a doting younger son.
Nora takes a shine to a new kid at school, Marc (Gabriel Rush), who turns out to be Kent Armstrong’s son.
And most importantly, a satellite drops from the sky and into Cameron Edwin’s backyard, opening up a sea of possibilities.
There’s far more in Linoleum than at first meets the eye, and it is only in the third act that it all comes together.
It has been cleverly conceived and executed by writer and director Colin West, who provides ample room for contemplation about the human condition.
Although Eldwin has received a measure of success, something has always held him back.
The routine of it all appears to have gotten to Erin while Nora is trying to find her place in the world.
I was thoroughly engaged by the mysterious chain of events, eager to learn more.
Jim Gaffigan is eminently watchable in his dual roles – at once personable and bombastic.
Seehorn plays tightly strung with conviction, while Nacon has personality to burn.
Linoleum is big on creativity and charm. It is earnest and endearing.
Rated M, it scores a 7½ out of 10. Running time – 102 minutes –
Where can we view this ?????, We live in Australia!!