User reviews

Chevy Chase plays investigative reporter Irwin M. Fletcher, nicknamed Fletch, who's disguising himself as a junkie on the beach to uncover a smuggling ring. He gets spotted by Tim Matheson, a real estate millionaire, who asks Fletch to kill him so his wife can receive the inherit. Fletch goes snooping around and finds out that his smuggling ring investigation might somehow be tied to the millionaire.

With a different leading man this film could very well have been a full blown thriller. Imagine John Frankenheimer directing and Robert De Niro starring. But, in dealing with what's at hand, Fletch is a good comedy where Chase can showcase his range of disguises and delivery of good one-liners. Chase absolutely smothers the film with wisecracks and the overall very well constructed mystery is nearly overlooked. With repeated viewings I've actually come to appreciate the film more for it's genuinely gripping detective story elements, it really does boast a solid mystery that unfolds well.

There's one thing for sure here; you have to be a fan of Chevy Chase for this film to work for you. Since I'm a fan the film is in high regard. Chase's wisecracks aren't all brilliant but they're mostly very good and here he's at the top of his game.

Fletch and Clark Griswold are the two characters Chevy Chase will most be remembered for.

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!

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!

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 have always enjoyed this 1985 classic comedy crime mystery gem starring Chevy Chase, and I have watched it several times over the years, and trust me, the movie never gets old. It is one of those movies that have that special ingredient to it that makes it possible to watch it again and again.

Writer Andrew Bergman came up with a very enjoyable and entertaining storyline that incorporated elements of the typical Chevy Chase comedy and elements of crime and thriller as well. And the result it just great. The storyline is pretty straight forward and easy to follow, but it never actually becomes too predictable, nor does the pacing of the movie ever slow down.

"Fletch" showcases a lot of Chevy Chase's talent and his ability to portray various characters, and there were plenty of characters in the movie, many of which just makes me laugh hard every time. But the movie also has the likes of Joe Don Baker, Geena Davis, Tim Matheson, M. Emmet Walsh and George Wendt on the cast list, so there are a good amount of familiar faces if you watched movies or TV during the 1980s.

There are lots of funny situations throughout the movie, and Chevy Chase delivers some hilarious characters that really compliment the situations and scenes quite well, as well as providing the correct type of comedy needed to spruce up each scene. Personally, I am always busted up with laughing when he tries to evade the angry Doberman dog, where he sits inside the car with a camera and the dog is on the hood of the vehicle barking like mad, and Fletch says "Smile, say flesh. Look, defenseless babies" and the dog stops to check.

The dialogue in the movie is also good, and it feels like Chevy Chase was allowed to just make up names for his characters as they filmed. The way he comes up with names on the fly is just hilarious, and results in some wonderfully absurd and funny names.

If you haven't seen "Fletch" and find yourself with the opportunity to do so. I can warmly and highly recommend that you so, because this is definitely the embodiment of Chevy Chase comedy.

My rating of this timeless comedy classic is a solid seven out of ten stars. It is well worth a watch, and most certainly well worth your time, money and effort.

This movie is over the top hillarious - I don't know what hyped up dope that the last person who left a comment was on, but I LOVE this movie! What really makes the movie is both Fletch's imagination, his flair for developing different characters, and especially his speed talking. examples include "I love your body Larry (Geena Davis)" while on the phone in front of a hotel clerk, "Nugent, Ted Nugent" when asked by Alan what his name was, "What kind of a name is Poon anyways?" asks Mr. Boyd, to which Fletch's reply is, "Comanche Indian". This movie totally rocks and you will love seeing it AGAIN and AGAIN!!! It is so much better than jay and silent bob strike back, you'll be laughing for hours! enjoy!

"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.

Class! just pure class, nothing long winded just short and sweet, made at a time when chase was top of his class with others like steve martin, as for the film its a good story with many many jokes most of which you will have to see the film again to catch as some as they are very fast such as name changes he comes up with, it still stands up well today even if some jokes are lost on people to young to remember certain peoples names, its a shame people like chase don't get the films that made them so big in the 80s but times and tastes change, i myself am a chase fan and this film is him doing what he does best.

SEE IT

"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.

Like walking in the past. I've seen this movie maybe three other times, over the course of 30+ years. Chevy Chase humor. I liked it when in my 30s, and continue to like it (in the right dose).

Includes many known character actors, playing their usual roles; the comedy, gorgeous actresses, music, cars, and hair from the 80s.

This movie serves as affirmation of the philosophy, humanity, and conditions of the the US in the 80s. Ok, it doesn't. But it does reflect the idea of the life in the 80s; innocent (except for the police brutality, etc.)

Many comedic situations/scripts in today's movies come from movies such as Fletch. Fletch is an extension of Chevy Chase on SNL.

The movie is fun to watch.

I'm glad I read the book first; that was so much grittier. I guess, if you enjoyed the film, you're likely to enjoy the book even more. If you didn't enjoy the film, try the book instead!

The main problem is that the film takes the book's title, some characters and parts of the plot and then uses them as a vehicle for a comedy thriller instead of staying with original - good - idea.

Chevy Chase brings his usual "aimiable idiot" twist to the characterisation, but he plays it a bit too much like Clark S Griswold (European Vacation was released the same year); I kept expecting Beverley D'Aneglo to appear with a pained expression exclaiming, "Oh, Sparkey".

Although I enjoy the film whenever it happens to be on, I have to say it's not a patch on the original...

I have seen this movie few times since it came out in 1975. It never gets old with Chevy Chase. He was absolutely entertaining and he carried the movie the best he could. The subject matter though is not funny. It is about a drug running operation in Los Angeles with involvement of high ranking police officer and a millionare played by Matherson. Chase is an investigative reporter who is about to expose the drug ring and his investigation took him even to Utah.

Overall it's an enjoyable and very watchable movie despite it being over 35 years old.

In what may have been the high point of Chevy Chase's career, he plays Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher, a reporter who writes a column under the name Jane Doe. When a man hires Fletch to kill him, Fletch decides to investigate the man. As you might imagine, in the process, he gets more than he bargained for. And there's several gags throughout the movie.

Of course, since this is a Chevy Chase movie, you don't even really need to pay attention to the plot. It's overall just an excuse for the star to goof off. Maybe not as much as he did on "Saturday Night Live" or in "National Lampoon's Vacation", but he's still funny as ever. He must have had fun making this movie.

`Fletch', a tremendously good film in its own right, is part of a breed of Eighties films that doesn't seem to be made anymore. Much like the original `Beverly Hills Cop', `Fletch' isn't an overly humorous film, but rather a film featuring a comic star reacting to serious situations with comic responses. The film itself deals with some serious subjects – murder for hire, police corruption, and drug trafficking – and apart from the hero of the film, Fletch, a.k.a. Irwin Fletcher (Chevy Chase in his best role ever), every character treats the events of the film with great seriousness. Only Fletch himself treats everything like it's a comedy, albeit a dark comedy. Because of this, the film `Fletch' can't properly be termed a comedy; instead, it's more an action/drama with heavy doses of humor from its star. If a movie like this were made today, it'd probably be just an action film with a few good wisecracks, or a slapstick comedy that couldn't treat anything seriously.

Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher, the title character and driving force behind `Fletch', is a Los Angeles reporter who delights in tormenting the establishment with scathing exposé articles. While conducting research undercover for an article about drug dealers, Fletch is approached by millionaire Alan Stanwyck (Tim Matheson), who has a strange proposition for the disguised Fletch: he wants to pay Fletch fifty grand to murder him. Intrigued by the proposition, Fletch starts digging into Stanwyck's past, and starts to uncover a strange case involving tax shelters, drug dealers, and a large number of people to suddenly want to kill him.

The story's flawed, but at least it's interesting – there's enough twists and turns to keep the viewer guessing throughout the film as to what's going to happen next. What makes the film, though, is Chevy Chase as Fletch. Unable to treat anything seriously, the know-it-all Fletch is completely believable because so many other characters despise him. For all his great one-liners, snide comments, and sarcastic remarks, the other characters treat him the same way `real' people probably would – they'd respect his work, but they'd hate the man. As for the audience, Fletch comes across as abrasive, but his dogged persistence to find the truth makes him endearing, and Fletch always manages to come up with the snappy comebacks most people only wish they could think of. Chevy Chase also gives Fletch enough idiosyncratic quirks – his love of the Lakers, his often-sloppy work – to make Fletch be human, and not some superhuman caricature. Fletch's sarcastic nature also makes the film unpredictable – just when you think you know where a scene's headed, Fletch blurts out a line that sends it spinning in a completely unexpected direction. `Fletch' is a film completely defined by its title character, but that character alone is enough to make the movie highly enjoyable.

`Fletch' is an amusing, underrated movie. If you find Chevy Chase to be completely self-absorbed, smug, and unfunny – and some people do – don't bother with it. However, this is Chase's best film by far, and if you like Chase, or have no opinion about the man's brand of humor whatsoever, see this movie. You won't be disappointed. Grade: B+

This is beyond a doubt my favorite Chevy Chase movie. I know some people out there don't really care for Chevy's work, but this movie is not Chevy Chase acting like Clark Griswald. In this movie, Chevy plays a newspaper reporter who is investigating some pretty big crimes. What really makes the film good is that Chevy is funny, but smart at the same time.

The film starts off with Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher (Chevy Chase) investigating drug trafficking on the beach in LA. He is picked up by a yuppie called Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson). Stanwyk tells Fletch, who Stanwyk thinks is a junkie named Ted Nugent, that he has bone cancer and wants Fletch to kill him so his wife can collect an insurance policy. Through the rest of the movie, Fletch has to find out whether Stanwyk is serious and why the chief of police (Joe Don Baker) wants him to stop his investigation on the drug trafficking.

The reason I like this movie so much is that it is one of the 1980s movies where an actor who was previously only known for comedy is now playing a more serious character. To a large extent, Fletch is to Chevy Chase what Axel Foley is to Eddie Murphy. Like Axel Foley, Fletch is a really funny character, but also shows intelligence and resourcefulness in difficult situations.

Through the movie, Fletch uses a string of aliases and disguises that provide comic relief to a film that could have been a pretty gripping drama. My favorites are Gordon Liddy the airplane mechanic, Mr. Poon from the SEC, and John Cocktoston the tennis player attempting to woo Mrs. Stanwyk (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson) while charging expensive lunches to Mr. and Mrs. Underhill at the exclusive club. Also look out for Gilette (George Wyner), the attorney for the former Mrs. Fletcher who provides the straight man for some pretty funny jokes. Oh, and some unknown actress named Geena Davis playing Larry, one of Fletch's allies against his boss Frank (Richard Libertini) at the newspaper. I would go into more, but there's too much in this movie to shake a stick at.

If you want to see a funny movie with a serious plot, watch Fletch.

I Love chevy Chase & grew up watching his movies & loved most of them such as SPIES LIKE US, CADDYSHACK,THE VACATION FILMS, FLETCH & FLETCH LIVES. Chase is a comedy genius a hilarious actor & that's a FACT!!!

Chase is truly a comic genius & my favourite comedy actor (next to Dan Aykroyd).

FLETCH is my humour it's the funniest Comedy ever in my opinion.

One of my most watched films & Chase is a hero to me & has been since i was little.

Chevy Chase means alot to me as I've been watch his films all my life & i love the fact he's a nice family man in real life too, Chevy is such a fun guy & all cheers me up especially when i put on his Comedy Masterpiece FLETCH.

CHASE also put out some decent flicks during 90's even though it wasn't his glory days anymore like the 80's he still made some nice Comedy Gems in my opinion that are very underrated such as, COPS & ROBBERSONS, NOTHING BUT TROUBLE & MEMORIES OF AN INVISIBLE MAN, all good films in their right.

Chase is a king of Comedy even if he's fairly forgotten now by mainstream media & movies, he was once the Coolest Comedy Star out there & a true comedic genius & a man we loved to watch & still do in my case!!! Chevy may be old now but he has a lovely filmography for people to keep enjoying or to discover!!! Comedies today are terrible compared to the works of those 80's stars & Chase was the funniest, wittiest & most charming of the lot.

They can't make Comedies the way they did in the 80's, there's a certain feelgood vibe to them that can't be replicated today.

FLETCH is one of my all time favourite films & is a comfort film to me as i grew up watching & loving these old 80's Comedies & Chevy Chase was always the funniest of the lot but i do also like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Eddie Murphy, Harold Ramis & more, those guys ruled during the Awesome 1980's & have been making me laugh since i was little.

FLETCH is a special film to me & one i continue to come back to again & again as it really cheers me up with it's Feelgood energy & it's hilarious star Mr. Chase doing what he does best & on top funny form.

Chase is hilarious as Fletch a sarcastic & very silly master of disguise reporter who is trying to solve a mystery, that's all you need to know. If you love chase or watched his films or love a good "FEELGOOD" comedy then check out the BRILLIANT Fletch it's great fun, chase is so funny & always has put a big smile on my face as i grew up watching him so much, i think "Fletch" is his best movie as it really shows his outstanding comic genius on full display & he really looks like he's having so much fun playing this role!!!

Fletch is pure 80s Nostalgic fun, there's so many hilarious moments & classic comedy scenes in this movie & that's why it's considered a comedy CLASSIC!!!!

The very best of Chase is "Fletch"

I wasn't sure about watching this film, but am glad that I did.

It is not exactly high brow but Chevy Chase's performance was a cut above his average fare. It just shows that inspired material can inspire actors to reach greater heights than perhaps is their norm.

I may be focusing on Chevy Chase, but this was basically a one man show. The (reasonably large) supporting cast were all very jolly but had little input than to enhance Chase's character. Some of the younger actors went on to appear in other 80's and 90's films, for example: Geena Davis.

Definitely worth a look, but concentration sometimes needed as locations can jump without notice.

This movie couldn't decide if it wanted to be a comedy or a mystery. It's possible to be both ("48 Hours" comes to mind), but this one doesn't do either well. The basic concept seems usable, but the jokes are lame and far between, and the drama doesn't hold up under all the weak attempts at humor. There are a few giggles (the airplane mechanics and the basketball fantasy are the best) but it generally goes down with hardly a smile.

It's not a 1 (e.g. "Manos, the Hands of Fate"), but it certainly doesn't meet my standard of "an hour and a half well spent" required to get a 5. It's about midway in between. Call it a three.

Sad to think that this is rated as Chevy Chase's fourth-best movie.