Assassinato por Encomenda

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.

"Fletch" (circa 1985), the original "Fletch" flick, features Chevy Chase at his prime who, in his own inimitable way, plays a straight-faced, bemused, fast-double-talking investigative reporter who solves a major drug smuggling operation. "Fletch" is currently on the cable merry-go-round and makes for a fun and entertaining watch for Chase fans or Chase fans to be.

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 reasonably entertaining thriller parody. It's cleverly scripted, containing some truly hilarious moments and colourful supporting characters. Chevy Chase and the other cast suit their roles perfectly and the various disguises provides the film's most delicious laughs as the licentious conductor. Unfortunately, the fun gets a bit tamer towards the end. Good amusement, nevertheless.

They don't make films this light any more unfortunately. We need more feel good movies and less in your face ones that are made for 18 year olds.

Writing is the key.

Chevy Chase's finest comedy. It's the part that he really sunk his teeth into. It's a perfect blend of humor, mystery and drama. Although Chase gets more mileage out of it because of the laughs, it's an intriguing character in all respects.

Michael Ritchie directs nicely and the supporting cast works well, particularly Libertini as Fletch's noisy and brassy editor in chief. This is a film that is filled with more classic one liners than any film in the 1980's. It's one that makes us miss the old Chase and wonder why he's planning to make yet another "Vacation" movie.

We miss you, Chevy!