The Man Who Wasn't There

Let me confess. I found this video used and bought it because Guttenberg looked so sexy in his underwear on the jacket. But inside was another story. Besides the fact that the movie was basically a parody of "invisible-man" genre special effects (highly visible strings and other such paraphernalia), the script wasted no chance -- in fact it went out of its way -- in insulting all non-WASP races and real-or-imagined homosexuals. Every insult aimed at a person in the script was either homophobic or racist or both. It starts to grate on your nerves, along with the shaky sound, candid- camera style photography and melodramatic story. However, the end is somewhat of a surprise. But by the time you get there, you hardly care less. Too bad, it could been a reasonably good movie.

I will say that this movie did have a really interesting concept for its time, though it could've worked better as a sci-fi comedy or a sci-fi thriller instead of simply a comedy film. This film is basically a poor attempt at spoofing The Invisible Man. Also Steve Guttenberg, who played Sam Cooper in the film, is pretty much the only reason why anyone would even watch this forgettable 80s flick anyway. If there's another reason to see this film besides seeing Steve Guttenburg's body, it's pretty much invisible to the naked eye.

The 3-D featured in "The Man Who Wasn't There" stands for DUMB, DUMB, DUMB! This inept comedy features lousy 3-D effects that makes the 3-D effects in "Jaws 3", "Amityville 3", and "Friday the 13th Part 3" look better by comparison. Not to mention the movie is asinine to the extreme. This was one of many 1983 movies to feature the pop-off-the-screen effects. Steve Guttenberg and Jeffrey Tambor got trapped in this mess, but at least it didn't kill their careers. Tambor would go on to star on HBO's "The Larry Sanders Show" and Ron Howard's box office smash "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", while Guttenberg followed this flop with "Police Academy" and "Cocoon". What them in those projects instead of them here in "The Man Who Wasn't There". If you do, you'll regret it.

1/2* (out of four)

Sam Cooper, a low-level State Department dweeb, comes into possession of a small silver sphere. Sam learns that the sphere contains tiny vials of a blue liquid, a serum that, upon drinking it, renders that person temporarily invisible. As a result Sam is hunted by three dumb thugs, a Soviet diplomat, and his best friend who works for Naval Intelligence. All of them want the sphere. Unfortunately, for Sam he can't simply turn over the vials or destroy them. By using the serum his body now carries "residues" that can be used to duplicate the formula. Making him valuable to all parties dead or alive.

For a movie that's supposed to be a comedy, there are very few laughs. Often the film is just outright silly. There is a lot of running around, yelling, and chasing along with a few sex gags and nude scenes. This film might have worked better if they had played it as a straightforward thriller and avoided the gimmicky 3-D photography.

I think this movie is not bad at all. This movie is not to be confused with the Billy Bob Thorton movie of the same name. Even if Alexa Hamilton is in the movie that would be a terrific idea. At least this movie does not show an invisible woman putting on stockings like in the 1940 Invisible Woman movie. This movie also does not show an invisible woman putting on pantyhose like in the 1983 Invisible Woman. I think this movie should be out on DVD and Blue Ray in both 3-D and 2-D versions. Apparently this movie is not on DVD and Blue Ray. I think that this movie should be re released back into movie theatres in enhanced digital picture and digital sound. Overall, this movie is not bad and fair to me.