John Carpenter Hated Chevy Chase but Their Invisible Man Movie Is Good

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As a movie buff who’s seen more films than I care to remember and whose life experiences have been shaped by the silver screen, I must say that Chevy Chase’s foray into invisibility in “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” is as intriguing as it is peculiar. This film, based on H.F. Saint’s book, offers a unique blend of genres that, unfortunately, didn’t quite hit the mark at the box office.

The intriguing exploration of what it might truly feel like to be invisible is delved into in the well-regarded book “Memoirs of an Invisible Man“, penned by H.F. Saint. Notably, Saint himself vanished under less literal circumstances following the book’s triumph, presumed to have retired. Spanning 450 pages, the novel offers a realistic portrayal of the challenges and predicaments an ordinary man experiences after inadvertently becoming invisible. Since he can no longer see himself, coordination between hand and eye becomes challenging; he finds food being chewed and digested so repulsive that he restricts his diet to broth. However, these are minor concerns compared to the greater issues he faces, as government agents pursue him with the intention of studying him and utilizing him as a military asset.

The book had a unique combination of thriller, drama, sci-fi, and comedy elements that attracted Chevy Chase in the late ’80s, who was trying to rebrand as a serious actor. As history shows, it did not work out. Despite featuring big names and a famous but underrated Universal monster, the film tanked with critics and was a box office bomb, barely making half of its budget. The common complaint was that the film didn’t know whether it was a thriller or a comedy. More than 30 years later, it’s okay to think that the film doesn’t have to be either. It’s its own weird thing, and actually kind of fun, even if it nearly led filmmaker John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) to a breakdown.

Despite some challenges during its production, it’s clear that Chase was deeply committed to making this film happen. He stood firm against Warner Bros., refusing to let them adapt the book into a comedy that would showcase his slapstick skills, as they initially proposed. Instead, he fought for a faithful adaptation. He also disagreed with the original director, Ivan Reitman, and writer, William Goldman, when they developed a comedic film. However, Chase persisted and advocated for John Carpenter to take over the project.

Chevy Chase Was Passionate; John Carpenter Wasn’t

It’s possible that his strong enthusiasm may have caused Chase to be overly meticulous during the entire process, a phase which started following numerous revisions, dismissals, and recruitments. This is what Carpenter stated to the Los Angeles Times in 1992.

“That’s all we talked about. He was very consumed being an actor and not winking at the audience. Not being forced to do comedy to cover up problems in the screenplay, the directing or whatever. Basically he felt he had done a lot of films that he wouldn’t ordinarily (have) wanted to do just because he’s a comedian. A lot of the lines (in the script) he’d want to change and make them a little more serious. And he wanted to play everything with an edge.”

Interestingly enough, while the movie “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” primarily focuses on the characters played by Chevy Chase and Daryl Hannah, it’s the directorial prowess of John Carpenter and the remarkable visual effects by Industrial Light & Magic that truly shine. Even today, certain scenes remain visually captivating, and Carpenter skillfully builds tension when it arises. Moreover, Sam Neill delivers an exceptional performance as a relentless agent pursuing Chase’s character, and his collaboration with Carpenter following this film would result in the horror thriller “In the Mouth of Madness,” which is generally considered superior.

In a different phrasing, here it goes: Chase’s persistent preference for crafting a solitary, gloomy antihero clashes with the overall mood, causing humor to seem out of place. An extended segment set by the beach undermines the tension that Carpenter had carefully built up. Moreover, according to an interview with Variety, Chase was not only working against the film’s tone on-screen; he allegedly did so off-screen as well.

As a devoted cinephile, I seized the opportunity to create a somewhat somber film. However, working on this project with Chevy Chase and Sam Neill, two individuals I deeply admire and share a long-standing camaraderie with, along with Warner Bros., seemed delightful at first. But oh, how wrong I was! It was nothing short of a nightmarish experience. To be honest, the thought of abandoning my career in filmmaking crossed my mind after that debacle. Alas, there are certain individuals attached to this production who, if I dare name them, should be banished or, quite frankly, set ablaze. But I won’t go there. Suffice it to say, the personalities on that film were a challenge. Nonetheless, I persevered and survived the ordeal.

As per Carpenter’s account in his Masterclass, presented at the Fantasia Film Festival (through Slash Film), Carpenter expresses that “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” is the film project he regrets or dislikes contemplating the most, further stating:

That was a rough movie. I almost wanted to quit the business after that film. Anyway, let’s don’t talk about that. Let’s talk about happy things.

It’s a pity that even after over 30 years, “Memoirs of an Invisible Man” still offers an engaging curiosity. While it may not be considered a classic, it cleverly reimagines one of the horror genre’s most beloved monsters in a relatable, realistic fashion. The film is uneven and doesn’t rank among John Carpenter’s (or Chevy Chase’s) finest works, but it provides an intriguing exploration of an unusual concept within mainstream frameworks. You can stream it for free on YouTube here, or on Plex, Fandango Now, and Tubi through the links provided below:

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2024-11-01 06:04