LINOLEUM

Where to begin with 'Linoleum'? It's a bizarre little film that skirts the edge of the tangible world, toying with reality and poking at the fabric of existence itself. Just as you think the pieces are tumbling in one direction, they end up falling another way entirely. That's a sincerely pleasing outcome, as the final result offers us far more humanity and an unexpected amount of emotion. There are certainly hints littered throughout the story that lead us to its conclusion, but it's cleverly woven amid the space disaster, family drama and midlife crisis so as to come as a pleasant surprise.

The coherence comes largely thanks to grounded performances from the cast. Things could have ended up very silly very quickly, not just through the complex story but with Jim Gaffigan portraying multiple characters. However, his handling of the roles is exemplary; you have two unique characters presented on screen, and although their paths almost never cross, the effect is perfection. That's balanced by Rhea Seehorn's tormented wife, who so badly wants to distance herself from Cam's chaos but also sees a glimmer of a life they once dreamed of years ago. The to-and-fro the pair have nicely establishes the family dynamic and provides motivation for the direction for the narrative. Truly the most charismatic pairing however is Gabriel Rush and Katelyn Nacon (TV's 'The Walking Dead' and 'T@gged') as Jim and Erin's daughter, Nora. The two together are playful and engaging; watching them interact is delightful, and both of their talent in future projects would not be remiss.

That's not to downplay the work of writer and director Colin West ('Double Walker'). Inspired by personal experiences with his own grandfather, the story rinses tired tropes and presents them to us with a clean, refreshing screenplay. For a creator who only has one previous feature film under his belt, this is an extremely professional offering. 'Linoleum's' 141-minute runtime is well-utilised, rarely feeling wasted. It uses nostalgia as a tool in its storytelling, relying on things like VHS and the Space Race to remove the film from a tangible time and relocate it to a dreamlike cosmos. Whether consciously or not, his work here has flavours of predecessors who have previously forged a path; 'Donnie Darko' and 'Safety Not Guaranteed' offer influence in the best way possible.

Family, love, security - these may all be well-trodden themes in the cinematic realm. 'Linoleum' hopes to present these through the prism of the fantastic, offering its audience a new perspective in the hope you might ruminate on your own existence, your own place in this universe. It's a sturdy offering from Colin West and its cast, with a balance between illusion and drama that leads to a rewarding payoff. Blast off with this film that blazes its own trail, be swept up as it defies gravity, and go along for this handcrafted yet singular ride.