Fletch (1985)

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writers:

Gregory McDonald (novel)
Andrew Bergman (screenplay)

Release Date:

31 May 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery

Tagline:

Meet the only guy who changes his identity more often than his underwear.

Plot:

Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher, Los Angeles journalist, really lives for his profession. As Jane Doe, he publishes...

Plot Keywords:

Fletch | Drugs | Beach | Police | Disguise

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Chevy Chase	...	Irwin 'Fletch' Fletcher
Joe Don Baker	...	Chief Jerry Karlin
Dana Wheeler-Nicholson	...	Gail Stanwyk
Richard Libertini	...	Frank Walker
Tim Matheson	...	Alan Stanwyk
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Dr. Joseph Dolan
George Wendt	...	Fat Sam
Kenneth Mars	...	Stanton Boyd
Geena Davis	...	Larry
Bill Henderson	...	Speaker
William Traylor	...	Ted Underhill
George Wyner	...	Marvin Gillet
Tony Longo	...	Detective #1
Larry Flash Jenkins	...	Gummy
Ralph Seymour	...	Creasy

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:A (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:L | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Australia:M (Cable TV rating) | Netherlands:6 | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12 | Norway:11 | Norway:12 (1985) | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

When Mr. Underhill comes to collect the money for his lunch bill, Fletch searches for the time on his non watch-wearing wrist. This is a trademark of Chevy Chase.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When the motorcycle cop yells for Fletch to "Pull over," his mouth does not match the words.

Quotes:

Dr. Joseph Dolan: So where do you know Alan from?
Fletch: We play tennis at the club.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Really? California Racquet Club?
Fletch: Right.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: That's my club too. I don't remember seeing you there.
Fletch: Well, I haven't been playing in a while because of these kidney pains.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Right. Now, how long have you had these pains, Mr. Barber?
Fletch: No, that's "Babar".
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Two B's?
Fletch: One B. B-A-B-A-R.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Mallrats (1995)

Soundtrack:

Running For Love

A refreshing change of pace!

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!