Imps*

Imps* is a rather underappreciated comedy-fantasy film from 1983, directed by Robert Wynn and boasting an impressive ensemble cast that includes Linda Blair, Barbara Bosson and Georg Stanford Brown. The film, billed as something akin to a humorous Twilight Zone-style story, offers a collection of playful vignettes woven together to tell a larger narrative that escapes the traditional conventions of storytelling.

The movie gets its unusual title from the mischievous, good-natured imps that drive the narrative and are the unseen forces behind the unusual circumstances and situations that the characters find themselves in. The imps act as the invisible catalysts, making things happen throughout the movie. Through them, the film explores the quirky and often comedic side of everyday life.

The film opens in a bureaucratic cosmic setting. Suddenly, we're introduced to a group of imps who have been charged with the responsibility of overseeing occurrences and influencing events on Earth. The film does a clever job of humanizing these supernatural beings, each with their distinct personality quirks and interpersonal dynamics, effectively setting up the capricious tone of the entire film.

Linda Blair, known for her spine-chilling performance in The Exorcist, shows off her comedic skills in Imps*. Her character, part of the Earth-bound population, is relentlessly targeted by the whimsical imps, leading to a series of comedic mishaps. Blair's adeptness at physical comedy shines through in these scenes.

Georg Stanford Brown shines, bringing a unique blend of sophistication and humor to his character. He fully embraces the absurdities and comic scenarios that are a hallmark of the film, creating a fully realized character that becomes integral to the hilarity. Barbara Bosson also lends credible support to the ensemble cast, with her character put in numerous situations that range from the bizarre to the hysterical.

Each vignette in this movie is essentially a short story in itself, presenting a slice of life from different perspectives and scenarios. Some of these bits include a series of life events like job interviews, marital disputes, and daily mundane activities such as doing laundry or running errands—all of which end up taking bizarre turns under the influence of the impish manipulations.

This movie does an excellent job of not limiting itself to one style of comedy. The humor ranges from slapstick to double entendre, to the purely circumstantial. Additionally, the comedic and fantastical tone of the film is expertly underscored by a background score that bounces along energetically from start to finish.

Imps* challenges the conventional tropes of the genre, neither entirely a fantasy nor comedy, but a fusion of both. It goes beyond the superficial humor to reflect on human nature and the unpredictable circumstances that color our lives. The film is whimsical, yes, but not without deeper insights delivered amidst the merry chaos.

As Imps* continues to sing the unpredictable song of life, the audience is treated to a delightful unpredictability, as the film challenges our understanding of the mundane, turning casual normalities into hilarious spectacles. The film blends the everyday with the enchanting, crafting a world where the mundane and the magical coexist, making it a wholly entertaining movie-watching experience.

Overall, Imps* presents a humorous, fantastical roller-coaster of a ride, combining elements of the supernatural with life's everyday situations. The strong performances of Blair, Bosson, and Brown add to the delight and keep the audience engaged and entertained throughout. The movie is a unique blend of comedy and fantasy that is sure to tickle your funny bone while also nudging you to look at the world a little differently.

In conclusion, Imps* is an off-the-beaten-track film that entertains with its unusual amalgamation of the everyday and the extraordinary, laced with a good dose of humor. Its cast’s committed performances and the movie’s unique storytelling style make it a must-see for fans of the genre and those looking for something out of the ordinary.