Fletch (1985)

Gregory McDonald's lightweight mystery novel about an undercover newspaper reporter cracking a police drug ring is transformed by screenwriter Andrew Bergman (Blazing Saddles, and writer/director of The Freshman and Honeymoon in Vegas) into a fairly sarcastic and occasionally very funny Chevy Chase vehicle. Enjoyment of the film pivots on whether you find Chase's flippant, smart-ass brand of verbal humor funny, or merely egocentric. If you don't like Chase, there's really no one else worth watching (Geena Davis is sadly underused). Chase seems born to play I.M. "Fletch" Fletcher, a disillusioned investigative reporter whose cynicism and detached view on life mirrors the actor's understated approach to comedy. Fletcher offers Chase the opportunity to adopt numerous personas, as his job requires numerous (bad) physical disguises, and much of film's humor centers on the ridiculous idea that any of these phony accents or bad hairpieces could fool anyone. These not-so-clever disguises are put to use when Fletch becomes involved in the film's smart but continually self-mocking two-part mystery. As well as trying to gather drug-smuggling evidence against the LAPD for a long-overdue newspaper story, a rich and apparently terminally ill stranger also offers Fletch a large payoff to kill him. While the film does a fairly good job juggling both of these plots, not to mention tossing in a love interest as well, it's subservient, for better or worse, to Chase's memorable one-liners and disguises. Followed by two forgettable sequels that lack both the original's wit and Chase's attention span. --Dave McCoy Amazon.com

High-point of Chevy Chase's career "its all ballbearings these days",

This movie has more one-liners than a cheap singles bar!

Dr. Joseph Dolan: You know, it's a shame about Ed.
Fletch: Oh, it was. Yeah, it was really a shame. To go so suddenly like that.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was dying for years.
Fletch: Sure, but... the end was very... very sudden.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: He was in intensive care for eight weeks.
Fletch: Yeah, but I mean the very end, when he actually died. That was extremely sudden.

And so Chevy Chase, reporter managers to bungle his way through many different undercover guises in the way to getting his story... and you will enjoy the ride, because it is funny, and dry and off the wall.

Incidentally I don't know why Chevy Chase seemed to get less funny as he got older. Same thing that happened to Steve Martin. July 2, 2008

Excellent Chase

HD DVD version has best picture and sound I have seen for this film. Picture 4.5 stars, Sound 4.0 stars. Movie 4.0 stars. As much fun as "Who's Harry Crumb." One of Chase's best films. Chase holds his characterization throughout the film and has an excellent supporting cast. Make some popcorn, sit back and enjoy this one for what it is - entertaining shtick with a script. April 20, 2008

Fletch

Irwin Fletcher "Fletch" is a newspaper reporter writing as Jane Joe that does what it takes to get the story. Many of his stories require him to go undercover, as his current assignment does. He is on a trail to expose those involved in a drug smuggling ring, but has learned some of the players are even part of the police department. While sniffing out leads, he is lead in another direction when a wealthy man approaches him mistaking Fletch for a transient. He tells Fletch that he is suffering from a terminal illness, and would like to hire Fletch to kill him. Since life insurance policies don't pay out in cases of suicide, he wants to make sure his wife is well provided for in the future. Fletch being the curious guy he is decides to investigate the millionaire's claim. When he discovers that his dying millionaire is not dying, but is in fact hiding a secret life as well as a second wife, the "chase" is on!

This is one of Chevy Chase's finest performances! He takes his comedic genius up a step for this film. The disguises, mannerisms, and funny dialogue showcase him perfectly. No one can slide those one-liners in like he can.
March 26, 2008

Fletch

I think this is one of Chevy Chase's better films. I don't like his movies where it is just one personal disaster after another. He is a hero in this movie, not bad. January 28, 2008

Fletch DVD

I purchased this for a Chevy Chase fan for Christmas and I couldn't find it in the stores...I finally got someone something they really wanted; he was very happy. January 8, 2008

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