Batty widower Ella (Karen Black!) rents out the rooms in her giant house to various boarders in order to make ends meet. When one of his clients goes missing from the residence, a snoopy social services agent discovers her boarders have an abnormally high "turnover" rate. YES! "Evil Spirits' is tailor made for fans of Karen Black's zany side. While this film is really just a vehicle for her weirdness (at one point she's talking with her parrot, making the strangest noises I've ever heard come out of her mouth, all while crossing her eyes and smiling at it like it's lunch), it's actually a pretty good ride. Unlike later films where her charm is the only redeeming quality, such as "Auntie Lee's Meat Pies," "Evil Spirits" is an all-around hoot. Ella is such a kooky character. Several scenes just feature her laughing maniacally for extended periods of time. This is priceless, prime Karen Black! Even though her husband is dead, Ella still talks to him on a regular basis (the Danny Devito-ish voice that retorts back with silly comment is one of the movie's more grating downsides.) While many of the boarders are older and/or ready to kick the bucket (hmm!), she does have a few eccentric younger folks staying with her. A young lady named Tina is like a throwback to Vulnavia from "Dr. Phibes," gracefully dancing (or, um, flailing) about the other characters at random times, except instead of ornate outfits and headpieces she has a leotard and 80s hair. There's also a spastic and pretentious author (Michael Berryman refreshingly playing against type) who spends much of his time staring through peepholes at Tina undressing as she dances. And don't forget "Neighbor," a bitchy middle-aged lady who doesn't appreciate that the yard next door smells like doody! It's a witty performance by drive-in starlet Yvette Vickers*. So, okay, okay, "Evil Spirits" is not incredibly original and it's completely predictable. It's a bit of a throwback to films like "Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice?" and even Black's film from two decades earlier, "Burnt Offerings." However, it's tongue is planted so firmly in it's cheek that it bursts right through. Black and company go full throttle with the whackiness, and it's a wonderful time.
*not to be confused with Aussie icon Jacque Vickers.
*not to be confused with Aussie icon Jacque Vickers.