The death (and life) of Carl Naardlinger - A feature film comedy by Katherine Schlemmer

Richard Crouse CTV

THE DEATH (AND LIFE) OF CARL NAARDLINGER: 3 STARS. “GENTLE, HUMANIST ATTITUDE.”

“The Death (And Life) Of Carl Naardlinger” takes place at the place at which identity and humanity intersect. A metaphysical and occasionally absurdist comedy, it stars Matt Baram as one of the title characters.

Baram is Carl Naardlinger. Married to real estate mini-mogul Pam (Grace Lynn Kung), he’s an IT guy, spending his days solving people’s computer problems on the phone. His well-ordered suburban life is thrown askew with a knock on the door from a police officer from the missing persons bureau. Detective Renton (Anand Rajaram) is on the hunt for a man who’s disappeared, a man with the unlikely name of Carl Naardlinger.

The interaction leaves Carl unsettled. Over time he becomes fixated on finding the man who shares his name even though he’s presumed dead. His search becomes muddied when he finds the man’s identical twin brother (Mark Forward).

“The Death (And Life) Of Carl Naardlinger” has laughs but it isn’t quite a comedy. Instead it takes its bizarre premise and mines some real emotional moments from the material. The quirky idea could have made for an all out farce, a film with broad performances, but Katherine Schlemmer and cast opt for a thoughtful, po-faced approach. It’s that gentle, humanist attitude that allows the absurdist elements of the story to feel as grounded as a movie that hinges on coincidence and doppelgängers could probably ever feel. As quirky as the idea may be, the search for identity and what it truly means to understand your world is a universal desire and the film does a nice job of essaying that search.

DATE July 28, 2018 CATEGORY REVIEWS
← BackNext →
The death (and life) of Carl Naardlinger - A feature film comedy by Katherine Schlemmercinéman Films presents a naardfilm production a film by Katherine Schlemmer starring matt baram grace lynn kung and mark forward written and directed by Katherine Schlemmer also featuring Anand Rajaram beatriz yuste ryan f. hughes molly atkinson casting by Lisa Parasyn & jon comerford production manager Mikhail Petgrave production designer cailin bator director of photography Dave Dunville music by Jairus Khan edited by Carl Laudan executive producer Marc Almon produced by Carl Laudan screenplay by Katherine Schlemmer directed by Katherine Schlemmer Made with the Generous Support of ACTRA Toronto Performers and the CFTPA produced with the participation of telefilm Canada and The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit
This Film is Not Yet Rated
  • Click the poster for the Trailer
  • CAST
  • FILMMAKERS
  • Synopsis
  • NEWS
  • SCREENINGS
  • REVIEWS
  • PRESS PHOTOS
  • CONTACT
© 2023 The death (and life) of Carl Naardlinger. by Cinéman Films Inc. All Rights Reserved
The death (and life) of Carl Naardlinger - A feature film comedy by Katherine Schlemmer
  • Click the poster for the Trailer
  • CAST
  • FILMMAKERS
  • Synopsis
  • NEWS
  • SCREENINGS
  • REVIEWS
  • PRESS PHOTOS
  • CONTACT
  • Recent Posts

    • Hollywood North Review
    • Richard Crouse CTV
    • Benjamin Poole
    • Jason Watches Movies
    • Artsalot: Princess Picks
  • Archives

    • June 2020
    • July 2018
    • March 2017
    • February 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
  • Categories

    • CAST
    • FILMMAKERS
    • PRESS PHOTOS
    • REVIEWS
    • SCREENINGS
  • Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org