Over the years, I’ve written at length at how far too many indie comedies mistake quirk for character.  Characters feel like people.  They have emotions, goals, fears, etc.  A character can have quirks, but they can’t be quirks.  Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini‘s Imogene is yet another example of an indie comedy that derives its comedy not from clever jokes, thoughtful set-ups and payoffs, or believable characters.  It attempts to get laughs from its miserable eponymous protagonist interacting with her goofy family of one-dimensional eccentrics.  As much as Imogene strives to coast on the wackiness of the characters, the best jokes in this shapeless comedy come from the little off-handed moments that slip through the tortured, hollow idiosyncrasies.

Coming off the wild success of Bridesmaids, the highest grossing female R-rated comedy of all time (and the sixth highest grossing romantic comedy), Kristen Wiig has a bit of clout. The actress is using the momentum from the Judd Apatow-produced film to get a passion project of hers off the ground: Imogene. Variety reports that the actress has been trying to get the project moving for two years now, and production is finally set to begin on August 8^th.

Wiig will star in the film as a New York playwright who fakes suicide in order to get the attention of her ex-boyfriend. The plan backfires, however, and she’s sent to live with her gambling-addicted mother. Michelle Morgan wrote the screenplay and Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (American Splendor) are set to direct. In addition to starring in the film, Wiig will serve as executive producer.