Fletch

Name: Fletch
Genre: Mystery, Comedy, Crime
Released: May 31, 1985
Duration: 98 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker

1985

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

See All

7.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.4	Your Score
7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Fletch

Now Playing: Fletch

Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: May 31, 1985 | PG

Starring: Chevy Chase, Joe Don Baker

Summary: Chevy Chase is at his best in this suspense-packed comedy thriller based on Gregory McDonald's best-seller. Irwin Fletch, a.k.a. Fletch (Chase), is an investigative reporter who's constantly changing his identity. While working on a drug expose, Fletch attracts the attention of a strange businessman (Tim Matheson) who wants to be killed soChevy Chase is at his best in this suspense-packed comedy thriller based on Gregory McDonald's best-seller. Irwin Fletch, a.k.a. Fletch (Chase), is an investigative reporter who's constantly changing his identity. While working on a drug expose, Fletch attracts the attention of a strange businessman (Tim Matheson) who wants to be killed so his wife will inherit more insurance. The wily Fletch senses a scam, and soon he's up to his byline in frame-ups, murder, police corruption and forbidden romance. It'll be the story of the year, if he can stay alive to meet his deadline. [Universal]… Expand

Director: Michael Ritchie

Genre(s): Mystery, Comedy, Crime

Rating: PG

Runtime: 98 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel

Even the car chase in Fletch is witty and believable and something an adult can attend without flinching. As the adolescent revels of summer wear on, that alone could make it a movie to cherish. Read full review

Gene Siskel

Fletch is more than funny; it's funny and exciting.[31 May 1985, p.A]

Duane Byrge

Admittedly, the storyline weaves all over the place, but no matter — Chase's performance and a plethora of daft and witty situations carry it past some structural rough spots. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Staff [Not Credited]

Fast-paced and witty, this is Chase's best solo venture to date, and will hold almost anyone's attention for its well-edited 98 minutes. Chase underplays his wackier moments to great effect, though he isn't always quite as funny as he thinks he is. (He also isn't the next Cary Grant, which he seems to believe as well.) Read full review

Vincent Canby

An enjoyable paperback of a film, a lightweight, breezy experience that, by never pretending to be anything more than what it is, disarms criticism. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Michael Ritchie's 1985 mystery comedy has the pleasant, modest feel of a Fox B picture from the 30s—a Charlie Chan with a sense of humor... It does make for a decent evening's entertainment. Read full review

Jack Kroll

Such soft fare that it makes your eyes feel gummy. Andrew Bergman's script has no comic tension and no thrills. [3 June 1985, p.65]

SEE ALL 11 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

FelicityFenwick

May 18, 2017

I don't think there is a movie that my friends and I quoted more than fletch. It's so funny in so many ways, but it also has that great film noir quality about it. I would suggest that next to maybe Caddy shack, this is Chevy Chase's best role.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Compi24

Nov 18, 2017

One of the more frustrating 80's comedies I've ever seen, as "Fletch" is not only quotable, engrossing, and fun, it features probably one of the best performances from Chevy Chase this side of "Caddyshack." My problems with "Fletch" lie within the tonal inconsistencies that I found allOne of the more frustrating 80's comedies I've ever seen, as "Fletch" is not only quotable, engrossing, and fun, it features probably one of the best performances from Chevy Chase this side of "Caddyshack." My problems with "Fletch" lie within the tonal inconsistencies that I found all throughout though. Again, it's hilarious at times, with riotous dialogue delivered through expert deadpan. It also features a really compelling mystery that kept me interested and wanting more. But the more and more I thought about the two sides of this "Fletch" coin, the more and more I realized that - like a coin - I could never actually see both sides at the same time. The two tones never really meshed as well as I would have liked. But, with that said, it's still an underrated comedic feat that should be appreciated by more.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Robwinz

Dec 11, 2020

Fletch is an alright movie. The movie's got an alright story, good acting, great dialogue, terrible pacing and some very hit and miss humour.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Fletch is an entertaining comedy crime drama about a fast talker, thus with some witty, male banter-style dialogue. Themes covered include selfishness/greed, assassination and police corruption. I felt that it was one of those films in which you have to keep a close eye on it to fully follow whats going on, which is partly due to the almost constant, fast chatty dialogue and obviously the faster pace scenes. As well as the comedic dialogue, there is also some physical, slapstick style comedy present - some of this was funnier than others. Its a film which dates from the 1980s and I felt it did seem fairly dated but then of course thats to be expected. I find it amusing almost in itself watching people using the old computers of the time, thinking that what is now clearly very much old hat was, at the time, much more like cutting edge!.

I felt there was an (if but small) element of sexism present in Irwin Fletcher. He flirts with various people and there is a definite cheesiness to this but thats hardly particularly surprising, given that Chevy Chase plays the main character. He is quite a cocky, self assured character with somewhat of a grandiose ego (a real wise-guy type) hence its pretty entertaining when things don't go his way. Other cast members include Joe Don Baker as Chief Jerry Karlin, a man who isn't afraid to say what he thinks and Tim Matheson as Alan Stanwyck. Geena Davis also appears as a character called Larry.

The music score very much dates this, heavily featuring electronic style tracks, from uptempo pieces to more midtempo ones, there's a lot of muzack style pieces played in the background. Its all quite cheesy, think of the sort of music played during American TV shows of the time.

I felt that this film was somehow trying to be a bit like Lethal Weapon, only with the one detective inspector equivalent, or if not that then certainly a film centering around a slightly less adept (than he thinks he is) unofficial P.I. type, out on the streets after a good few bucks. If you didn't imagine a deep voice reading that last sentence back to you a-la the narration heard when viewing trailers for upcoming films at a local cinema, then you potentially missed the point but hopefully you understand where I'm coming from. I also noted that the ocassional voice over was done in quite a stoney tone of voice and it even reminded me somewhat of the (much funnier, may I add) Leslie Nielson comedy series of Naked Gun films.

Overall I enjoyed the film as a somewhat amusing and entertaining watch. Its pretty run of the mill really but its watchable none the less. I found some aspects of it amusing, one or two bits were a little cliche and/or cheesy but one things for sure - this is very much a 1980s crime comedy film, there's no doubt about that. As I say, its hardly a great film but its not awful either, hence my 3 star rating. I can see why some people might look up at a character like Irwin, wishing to be as cool and self assured as him, while I don't think much of such people - cocky egotists, hmmm, that doesn't appeal to me but thats a whole other dicussion! anyway, I can see why this may have been popular when it came out and I did like one or two aspects of the character but overall I can't say I felt especially emotionally attached or, well, basically, bothered about him. All the same, I didn't feel that the film was so obviously bland or far too boring that I wanted to stop watching it and it seems it was a fairly popular film given the rating it gets on IMDB etc., so, again, im going with a 3 star rating. Sometimes im not especially keen on main characters but yet I struggle to make big criticisms about the film regardless, although its hard to explain exactly why. I guess this is very much a middle of the road type of a film. I genuinely did laugh on ocassion and I liked the faster paced scenes, while giggling at some of the definitely more cheesy electro type tunes played - this film is partly comedic due to the decade it was filmed in - I realise its meant to be a comedy but I'm guessing that aspect of it wasn't intended to be part of its comedic appeal! (you can't say I'm not being honest!).

Content wise, this film contains some mild to moderate profanities, some multiple drug references and mild violence (although nothing graphic). It carries a PG rating to reflect this and should be suitable for most family members to watch.

No, I don't think I would particularly recommend this film. Its alright and thats about it. There are some amusing scenes, some funny bits of dialogue but it didn't especially stand out to me and its clearly quite dated as an 80s film, although perhaps to some that would be an appeal, I don't know!. I imagine that if you don't like Chevy Chase, then you certainly wouldn't enjoy this film but otherwise its watchable enough but nothing special.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 4 REVIEWS