John Carpenter embarked on his cinematic journey with a modest student film that evolved into an unexpectedly impactful and eccentric feature debut. Dark Star marked the inception of a remarkable series of genre-defining films crafted by Carpenter, spanning from 1974 to 1988. During this prolific period, he delivered iconic masterpieces such as Halloween, The Thing, Prince of Darkness, and Big Trouble in Little China, among others. This impressive collection of 11 films solidified Carpenter’s legacy, as each title has since been re-evaluated and celebrated as either a masterpiece or a cult classic, often misunderstood during its initial release.

Only with his twelfth film did Carpenter produce a feature that is widely considered a failure, and that film is the perplexing and disjointed Memoirs of an Invisible Man, released in 1992. Starring Chevy Chase as a stock analyst who unwittingly becomes invisible, the plot follows him as he evades a nefarious government agency intent on exploiting his newfound powers for espionage. While the film boasts an intriguing concept, Memoirs of an Invisible Man falters due to its inconsistent tone, influenced by various contributors, ultimately rendering it one of the most forgettable entries in both Carpenter’s and Chase’s filmographies.

Understanding How ‘Memoirs of an Invisible Man’ Diverged from John Carpenter’s Passion Projects

Throughout his illustrious career, Carpenter was deeply involved in the conception and creation of his significant works. He frequently contributed to the screenwriting process or held story credits, ensuring he had substantial oversight on the production of his films. However, Memoirs of an Invisible Man did not originate as a John Carpenter project. Initially, the film was set to be directed by Ivan Reitman, who exited the project after Chase expressed dissatisfaction with the script, leading the studio to side with the star. The screenplay was originally crafted by the esteemed screenwriter William Goldman, who had envisioned a comedic take on the story. Tensions arose between Chase and Goldman, resulting in Goldman also departing the project. The film languished in developmental purgatory for several years before it was eventually handed over to Carpenter.

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Carpenter tailored the film to align with Chase’s vision, recognizing from the outset that this was primarily a star-driven endeavor. This marked a significant departure from Carpenter’s usual practice, as most of his previous films were born from his original concepts. Additionally, Carpenter’s earlier works were typically produced independently, making the transition to a project with a high-profile star and a major studio a challenging experience for the director known for his hands-on approach. In a recent Variety profile, Carpenter candidly stated, “It was a horror show. I really wanted to quit the business after that movie.”

Examining Chevy Chase’s Comedic Vision in ‘Memoirs of an Invisible Man’

Despite his extensive success in the comedy genre and his memorable roles on the original seasons of Saturday Night Live, Chase sought to explore new dimensions of performance with Memoirs of an Invisible Man. He articulated to the LA Times prior to the film’s release, “It’s about this guy’s dark, anxious, traumatic situation and the uncertainty of what will happen to him.” Chase primarily aimed for the story to delve into the profound loneliness associated with invisibility, and he took significant creative liberties with the script to emphasize this thematic exploration.

The core dilemma that Memoirs of an Invisible Man encounters lies in its inability to fully commit to either Chase’s more serious interpretation or the lighthearted, comedic spoof of a classic monster-movie concept. While the film includes several decent comedic moments, Chase’s character is largely portrayed as unremarkable, stumbling into a convoluted conspiracy narrative. The blend feels like an awkward amalgamation of The Invisible Man and Three Days of the Condor, yet fails to realize the potential of either concept. Chase’s signature charm and comedic talent often feel stifled, overshadowed by a lack of clarity in the film’s direction. The standout performance comes from Sam Neill, who portrays a delightfully over-the-top villainous agent.

Analyzing the Complex Relationship Between John Carpenter’s Films and Critical Reception

Memoirs of an Invisible Man stands out as the oldest film in Carpenter’s oeuvre that has not experienced a genuine reclamation effort from either fans or critics. Carpenter has often found himself in a contentious relationship with critics, who initially derided his films only to later chastise him for the perceived decline in quality of his subsequent works. This 1992 misstep starkly contrasts the cinematic heights Carpenter reached with earlier films such as Escape From New York and others released during that era. Nevertheless, Carpenter demonstrated resilience, swiftly returning to the horror genre with In the Mouth of Madness a few years later, a film that is now regarded as a prime example of his artistry in genre filmmaking.

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Ultimately, it was Chase who appeared to struggle to move past the failure of Memoirs of an Invisible Man. The passion and creative input he dedicated to a project that received a lukewarm reception from critics and audiences alike may suggest a loss of direction in his career trajectory. Although Chase enjoyed a few successes post-1992, particularly one final return to the Griswold franchise with Vegas Vacation, he never quite recaptured the level of stardom he enjoyed before the 1990s.

While the film is predominantly disjointed, Chase still manages to deliver moments of his classic movie star charisma. Regrettably, many of these standout moments manifest as comedic gags, which he initially sought to minimize throughout the film. However, Memoirs of an Invisible Man does feature impressive special effects, such as scenes depicting invisible gum chewing and a stunning moment showcasing how rain impacts Chase’s invisible character. These instances hint at the film’s potential, making it a frustrating viewing experience, as it feels like two conflicting movies vying for dominance, both of which could have thrived independently if the creative team had fully committed to a singular vision. For dedicated Carpenter fans, Memoirs of an Invisible Man isn’t a complete failure, nor is it his worst film — but viewers should not expect it to emerge as a hidden gem either.

Memoirs of an Invisible Man

Release Date

February 28, 1992

Director

John Carpenter

Cast

Chevy Chase , Daryl Hannah , Sam Neill , Michael McKean , Stephen Tobolowsky , Jim Norton , Pat Skipper , Paul Perri , Richard Epcar , Steven Barr , Gregory Paul Martin , Patricia Heaton , Barry Kivel , Donald Li , Rosalind Chao , Jay Gerber , Shay Duffin , Edmund L. Shaff , Sam Anderson , Elaine Corral Kendall , Ellen Albertini Dow , Jonathan Wigan , I.M. Hobson , John Carpenter , Chip Heller

Runtime

99 minutes

Writers

Dana Olsen , Robert Collector

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Memoirs of an Invisible Man is available to watch for free on Tubi in the U.S.

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