A popular club impressionist is commissioned (pretty much against his will at first, including blackmail) by a group of scientists to communicate through impersonation, nuance, and gesture with an alien that has landed on Earth for what appeared to be a visit. The scientists want Spiffy Remo to get the secret of fusion energy (responsible for powering its alien ship) from the alien being. Spiffy (Chuck McCann, in a rich performance) is afraid of the alien, at the start, because it attacked one of the scientists who was unable to communicate to it in a manner it's most comfortable. When Spiffy fails for a duration to master the technique of the alien's mannerisms and speech, the scientists begin to believe he just isn't able to get the job done
this disbelief in his talent sets a fire to Spiffy, bruising his ego enough to force the impressionist to prove himself to them. Once he's successful, however, returning to the club/lounge routine lacks the same thrill (to perform for an audience taken to his talent) it once might have had, and it could all be because once he communicated with the alien a special bond formed
a bond he just doesn't have with humans. Because of McCann's sincere performance, I think "The Impressionist" is better than it has any right being. The alien (and its ship) is right out of a cheap B-movie, and the scientists are bland and zombie-like (all of this may have been intentional, though), so whether or not this charms you, this first episode of Tales from the Darkside of the second season perhaps (or perhaps not) might leave a lasting impression. If it weren't for McCann, I found it rather flat and forgettable. The ending does rather work to me, offering us a different take on human/alien relations, how communication between races can produce positive results; it gives us hope that despite differences, if an attempt is made, success can follow.
Review of The Impressionist
