I remember watching the Chevy Chase Fletch when I was young. I did not get the plot of the movie. I went in expecting to see funny man Chase and although I got a few chuckles, the storyline of crooked cops selling drugs and insurance fraud went over my head. Watching the film recently, I enjoyed the story for what it was but still wanted more humor from Chase.
Here we are 37 years later after multiple actors were rumored for the lead we finally get a new Fletch movie starring Jon Hamm as the titular character: Irwin Fletcher. I am glad that this movie took its time to get made because Hamm is the perfect actor for the role. His charm, wit, and dry sense of humor are the perfect combination for Fletch.
The story starts off with Fletch finding a dead body in the house that his girlfriend, Angela De Grassi, played by Lorenza Izzo, rented out for him. Fletch calls the police and uses his quick wit to “assist” Inspector Morris Monroe and his “Trainee” Griz, played respectively by Roy Wood Jr. and Ayden Mayeri. I will say that any scene where these three are together is hilarious. Wood Jr. plays the veteran inspector not taking any crap from Fletch while Mayeri drops a line or two during these scenes that bring it all home. I would love to see any outtakes from this movie involving these three actors.
In trying to solve the mystery of the murdered lady, Fletch must also help Angela find paintings that have been stolen from her kidnapped father. Angela is in Italy while Fletch is in Boston trying to see what information he can find. Fletch uses his investigating reporter knowledge to try to find clues as to who the murderer is and where these paintings are.
Unlike the original Fletch where Chevy Chase wore disguises to get information, Jon Hamm might just wear a hat or change his voice a little to get the information he wants. He struts across the scene with such confidence that you can see why he is able to do the things he does on the screen with the persons of interest.
Although they are not persons of interest Inspector Morris and Griz are just fantastic in this movie. She seems fresh and new to the force and Morris is just tired and over it due to just having a son. You can feel his desire to sleep as he grills Fletch about why he is trying to help their investigation. If there is a sequel to Confess, Fletch, I would love to see these two characters in it again.
As stated previously, Fletch goes out and interviews persons of interest to try to clear his name and two of these interviews are some of the funniest moments in the movie. Fletch interviews the neighbor, Eve, played magnificently by Annie Mumolo. There is so much cringe and “what did she just say” moments in this scene that you might have to rewind it a few times to catch all the jokes and one-liners. This scene is just perfection and will have you laughing out loud while you watch it.
The second hilarious interview is with Tatiana Tasserly, played by Lucy Punch. As stated previously, the script for this film is based on one of the early books of Fletch and odds are that this scene was completely different from the book. While interviewing Tatiana, Fletch makes these little off-handed remarks that Tatiana takes as compliments but it is really Director Greg Mottola’s social commentary on the elite and their thoughts on what is right. Maybe I am easy to entertain but the moment in this scene with the word “bespoke” just had me laughing.
As with any mystery that are twists and turns and new characters popping up to add to the story. Marcia Gay Haden as the Countess steals the scenes she is in. While she is only in the movie for a few scenes she is great to watch and I wanted more. Kyle MacLachlan plays the EDM-loving, germophobic art dealer, Ronald Horan, who is also on the suspect list due to his private collection and is a known art dealer.
The third act of the movie gives us some great moments. It also gives us some great jokes and brings up the word “Bespoke” again. The film wraps up nicely and leaves you wanting more. Jon Hamm is a fantastic actor to continue the role of Fletch and I hope there is more to come.
Final Thoughts: Jon Hamm makes a great Fletch with his deadpan delivery and dry wit. Confess, Fletch is a fun mystery that sticks to the original material and improves upon it by updating it to modern times. While there will be plenty of comparison to the Chevy Chase films, this film stands out on its own and could be the beginning of a great new franchise for Hamm.
Kid-Friendly: There is the use of drugs and alcohol in the movie along with a sex scene in the beginning. A lot of the humor may be too dry for children and might just go over their heads. If I were to recommend an age for this I would say 17 and up.
Violence: There are a few punches thrown in the movie and a person gets shot. There is nothing intense or too gory.
In this delightful comedy romp, Jon Hamm stars as the roguishly charming and endlessly troublesome Fletch, who becomes the prime suspect in a murder case while searching for a stolen art collection. The only way to prove his innocence? Find out which of the long list of suspects is the culprit—from the eccentric art dealer and a missing playboy to a crazy neighbor and Fletch’s Italian girlfriend. Crime, in fact, has never been this disorganized