Repossessed (film)

For the Kris Kristofferson album, see Repossessed (album). For a financial institution taking back an object, see Repossession.

Repossessed
Repossessed 2003 DVD cover
Directed by	Bob Logan
Produced by	Steve Wizan
Written by	Bob Logan
Starring	Leslie Nielsen Linda Blair Ned Beatty Anthony Starke
Music by	Charles Fox
Cinematography	Michael D. Margulies
Studio	Carolco Pictures
Distributed by	Seven Arts Pictures (through New Line Cinema)
Release date(s)	September 14, 1990
Running time	80 minutes
Country	USA
Language	English
Box office	$1,382,462

Repossessed is a 1990 comedy film that spoofs the 1973 horror film The Exorcist. It was written and directed by Bob Logan. The film features the original star of The Exorcist, Linda Blair, as well as Leslie Nielsen and Anthony Starke. Many gags were based around events in The Exorcist, such as the green-vomit and head-spinning scenes.

Plot

Father Jedediah Mayii (Nielsen) casts out the Devil from the body of young Nancy Aglet (Blair). Seventeen years later, in 1990, Nancy's body is possessed once again, however, while watching "The Ernest and Fanny Miracle Hour", a religious broadcast.

After a visit to the hospital, and a visit from Father Luke Brophy (Starke), Brophy concludes that Nancy is indeed possessed. Mayii, however, refuses to perform the exorcism, claiming he is too weak, and that both he and Nancy barely survived her previous exorcism. Brophy then visits the Supreme Council for Exorcism Granting. Ernest and Fanny of "The Ernest and Fanny Miracle Hour" are also present. Ernest concludes that an exorcism is warranted, and convinces the Council to televise Nancy's exorcism. They agree, believing it will convert millions, so Ernest presents "Ernest and Fanny's Exorcism Tonight" to the network.

Feeling he may be needed, Mayii visits "Bods-R-Us", a gymnasium, to restore his physical strength. There, Brophy approaches him, informs him of the televised exorcism, and attempts once more to convince Mayii to conduct the exorcism, though he refuses again. The night of Nancy's exorcism arrives, presented by Ernest and Fanny.

After a montage of attempts to free Nancy's body using phone donations, song, and insults ("You're so tough, how come you possessed a woman's body?"), "Ernest and Fanny's Exorcism Tonight" is announced as having the largest audience in history. Upon hearing this, the Devil, in Nancy's body, sets the studio on fire, causing the audience to flee. He reveals to Ernest and Fanny that he used them to get the largest audience, and turns them into a pantomime horse.

Using the camera, the Devil tries to claim the souls of the viewing audience, but is stopped by Brophy, who destroys the camera. The Devil announces he knows another way to claim their souls, and runs away, heading for a satellite transmitter. He is pursued by religious figures from around the world, who have gathered at Brophy's command. Brophy teases the Devil about his defeat to Mayii.

Back in the studio, the Devil successfully uses the camera to lure Mayii to him for a rematch. The exorcism, with commentary by "Mean Gene" Okerlund and Jesse Ventura, is ineffective until the Devil mentions that he hates Rock 'n Roll. Turning the TV studio into a live concert, the song "Devil with a Blue Dress On" is played to the Devil by the various religious figures, including The Pope on guitars. The Devil is tormented so that he is finally driven from Nancy's body, declaring "I'll be back!".

Cast

WWF commentators "Mean Gene" Okerlund and Jesse "The Body" Ventura play a semi-major role in the movie's climax.

Release

The film received a limited theatrically release in the United States by New Line Cinema in September 1990. It grossed $1,382,462 at the box office.

The film was released on VHS and laserdisc by Live Home Video the same year.

In 2003, Artisan Entertainment released the film on DVD. The film was re-released on DVD on April 14, 2009 by Lionsgate Entertainment, in a collection of forgotten films called the "Lost Collection". The corporation again released the film on DVD on January 4, 2011, in a "4-Film Collection" set along with My Best Friend Is a Vampire, Slaughter High and Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out!

Reception

Repossessed was poorly received by critics. The film currently has a 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes, out of seven reviews and a 2.9/10 rating.

Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton of Dread Central wrote: "The jokes are not funny, the script overall isn't even slightly entertaining, the sight gags don't work, and everyone involved should be thoroughly embarrassed. ... Avoid this like you would a proposed escort with an itchy groin."

Kevin Carr of 7M Pictures stated: "The presence of Leslie Nielsen in this film might lead the audience to think this is part of the ZAZ canon, but it’s not. ... There are some funny moments in the picture, but ultimately, it’s a poorly written spoof that disappeared off the radar for very good reason. Still, I give the filmmakers credit for bringing Linda Blair back to spoof her own film that made her famous."

Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide gave the film one-and-a-half stars out of four; the review states, "Too few gags, too many targets, and a poor finale. Blair and Nielsen are good."

One positive review comes from Mick Martin and Marsha Porter's DVD and Video Guide, calling it an "uproarious parody" and praising Nielsen's performance.

External links

• Repossessed at the Internet Movie Database