Fletch - Der Troublemaker

I don't particularly care for Chase. I simply usually don't really find him funny. But I did like this. I have not read any of the books. It happened somewhat gradually, but long before this was over, I was enjoying myself. In the long run, the thing's just difficult to resist. Some of the comedy is from sexual matters, but it's never explicit. There is also a little bit of gross-out material. Most of the jokes and gags are based on Fletch's way of handling situations, and his personality as well as in general how he relates to his surroundings. Chevy(the man, I... wouldn't know about the car) carries it rather well, and I found myself quite interested in the whole thing. The plot is good, and keeps developing nicely throughout. Pacing is great, it never gets boring. The music is another quality area. The script is, as well, I wouldn't claim any of this to be predictable, at least not enough to bother. Funny, charming, not at all without tension and may very well keep you guessing until the end. I recommend this to fans of Chevy Chase and possibly(inquire elsewhere would be my suggestion) the title character. 7/10

Irwin Fletcher (Chevy Chase) is a smart-mouthed L.A. investigative reporter with pen name Jane Doe. He's infiltrating the drug trade at the beach when he's approached by Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson). He wants the supposed bum Fletch to shoot him because he has bone cancer. He's willing to pay $50k. Fletch's editor Frank Walker is hounding him for his drug story on Fat Sam selling drugs on the beach. Larry (Geena Davis) is his helpful sidekick. His investigation reveals that Alan isn't actually sick. He flirts with Alan's wife Gail. There's a land deal in Utah. Meanwhile his drug friend Gummy is kidnapped by the cops. Police Chief Jerry Karlin (Joe Don Baker) threatens him as the corrupt cops are after the reporter.

The wise-cracking Chevy Chase is marginally funny. What is most surprising is that there are a couple suspenseful investigation going on in this movie. I'm more invested in the story than actually laugh at Chevy. I'm not quite as impressed with the way Fletch handled Alan in the climatic scene. He's basically explaining the story while being the only guy without a gun. The disguises and the quick dialog are generally fun. It kind of reminds me of 'Beverly Hills Cop' except not quite as good.

I might be blinded by nostalgia, but Fletch is such a fun 80s movie, with so many great jokes, so much charm and a well crafted cast. Chevy Chase was perfect for playing Irving Fletcher and he worked not just in the slapstick scenes, but was also believable as a journalist. The plot is exciting with some twist and some of the funny lines are among the the best of 80s (action)comedies. And last but not least, Harold Faltermayers Fletch-Theme is amazing and a great follow up to Axel F. Taking my personal nostalgia into account (which probably increased the rating by 2-3 stars) Fletch is a fun and entertaining 80s movie, that doesn't fail.

I sat and larfed my butt off when I saw this in Beeville TX summer '85. And it still holds up today, though the score is kinda crappy, still...you gotta love the get ups, the one liners, and the mystery, too, kinda works. Check out the scene where joe Don Baker threatens Chevy with the gun...Baker wasn't kidding. He was gonna do in Fletch right then and there. They had just enough oomph in the mystery/police corruption angle to let you know that this wasn't just Slapstick Chevy. It works.

I enjoyed seeing Jim Bob from the Waltons play a bit as a car thief, who gets stuck in a car chase with Chevy, the Kareem cameo, hmmmm, and the pretty generic blonde who Chevy gets at the end. She is quite nice, doesn't seem to have had much of a career...(Dana Wheeler-Nicholson?)

Overall, enjoyable, they coulda made 3-4 of these.

*** outta ****

Fletch is a refreshing departure from most modern crime/mystery flicks, and cop comedies. Chevy Chase plays Fletch, an undercover journalist with a penchant for clever disguises.

The film takes itself seriously, as we see Fletch run from place to place making up names and solving the mystery. What makes this film great is that it's not a comedy by nature, but that the character Fletch is a comical man.

Thus, we laugh at him and the situations he makes for himself. The film doesn't need to poke fun at itself, we have enough fun watching Fletch.

It's hokey at times, and some of the supporting actors can be a little flimsy, but if you're interested in a great light-hearted mystery from the 80's, Fletch is a great watch!