Linoleum (2022)

We're big fans of comedian Jim Gaffigan and loved seeing his range in this sci-fi dramedy about the former host of a kids' science TV show trying to make sense of his life after his job and marriage crumble. Rhea Seehorn is also great as his wife with supporting strength from Katelyn Nacon, Gabriel Rush, Amy Hargreaves, and a cameo by Tony Shaloub. Gaffigan also plays his dour father in flashbacks and two of his own five children are in it, too.

Director/writer Colin West was nominated for the South by Southwest Grand Jury Award among other honors. Be ready for a twist at the end, explained in this SPOILER-ridden link.

I was pleased to see the soundtrack by Mark Hadley on Apple Music and am enjoying it as I type.

Though the story is set in Ohio, it was shot in upstate New York during COVID lockdown.

Gaffigan was last blogged for Luca, Hargreaves for They/Them/Us, and Shaloub for Final Portrait. Seehorn is best known for 61 episodes of Better Call Saul, though she's been working for 25 years in movies and TV. Nacon has a number of credits, as does Rush, the latter's including Moonrise Kingdom and one episode of Better Call Saul.

This is West's third feature and Hadley's fourth, working together on the last two, as well as several short films for each.

Rotten Tomatoes' critics aren't floored but they liked it, averaging 80%, almost as much as its audiences at 89.

We waited impatiently for this to stream and finally rented it on Apple TV/iTunes on April 14.