The category of movie that focuses on the father-daughter drama, where the daughters strive to reconnect and reconcile with their estranged fathers, has become quite similar and common but lacks a sense of quality. However, Acidman stands out from the rest purely due to its outstanding performances.
Acidman takes us on the journey with Maggie (Dianna Agron) on her 2000-mile journey from the city to reunite with her estranged father, Lloyd (Thomas Haden Church), set amidst the breathtakingly beautiful and verdant natural scenery. Lloyd resides in his isolated home, where he lives in the company of his faithful canine companion, Migo. Lloyd’s preoccupation with gazing at the skies for signs of civilization has become a daily ritual for him. His lifelong pursuit of seeking out intelligent life beyond our planet has left him estranged from his loved ones. Maggie sets out and tries to mend her father and bring him back to reality while also trying to keep it all together herself. As the film moves along and the two bond over buried secrets, you begin to get the sense there is some kind of mental illness with Lloyd.
Acidman has a simple premise; the film prowess of the two actors propels the narrative forward, which, despite its simplicity, exudes a refined quality. The film adroitly weaves together small yet significant fragments of the characters’ lives. For instance, Maggie’s ambivalence towards her marriage is palpable in her refusal to talk about her husband and her constant refusal to even answer his calls. Lloyd, who is the oddball father living alone in the woods and consumed with trying to find and speak with interstellar beings, is just a lonely guy trying to find a reason to live.
Despite the potentially depressing subject matter, this film manages to avoid being a downbeat affair, thanks in large part to the director, Alex Lehmann, and his co-writer, Chris Dowling. They deftly imbue the script with moments of levity that punctuate the overall tone of the feature, preventing it from succumbing to an overwhelming sense of gloominess by the end. Lloyd exhibits an intriguing dichotomy, with moments of profound conversations interspersed with instances of zoning out into a trance-like state. However, he quickly snaps out of this reverie and injects the dialogue with his dry, yet witty humor. These moments are all throughout the movie and add a sense of the personal relationship between the characters and the viewer. Lloyd and Maggie are distant, bickering, and stern at times, but the screenplay finds these moments of happiness and does it beautifully, which keeps the film from becoming dull.
That being said, the pacing is a noticeable issue with this film, particularly in the first forty minutes. The initial scenes show Maggie and Lloyd conversing in his home, but not much happens beyond that, making it feel slow and uneventful. While there are a few moments of conflict, the script could have greatly benefited from a quicker pace.
Nevertheless, the film delivers a unique and engaging story with a bond formed through personal hardships. Maggie is struggling to re-establish the connection with her father she once thought she lost. Lloyd has a desire for something more in life. No, it’s not the most compelling film in the world, but it has its moments that are both touching and have some light humor that lightens up the film’s themes. The actors are astounding and carry the film throughout. Thomas Haden Church has given his best performance since Sideways; what he brings to the screen is such a delight to watch. You come away from the film falling in love with him all over again. Despite a few issues, the film provides moments of happiness and joy that end up being very satisfying once the credits roll.
Acidman will be available in theaters and On Demand on March 31, 2023 courtesy of Brainstorm Media.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y20kQsgBlU8]
Thomas Haden Church has given his best performance since Sideways; what he brings to the screen is such a delight to watch.
Codie Allen is a passionate trans and queer film critic and entertainment writer based in Orlando, FL. A Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, Dorian Awards member, and CACF member, they also contribute to The Curb and InSession Film. When they’re not writing about films, you can find them sipping way too much tea and listening to Taylor Swift.
