Confess, Fletch

I'm a huge fan of Fletch and also of Jon Hamm but this movie doesn't really work. The writers have made a grave error by making most of the supporting cast quirky weirdoes with funny dialogue but this is the wrong way round - the reason the first two movies worked is that FLETCH is that guy and most everyone else is the straight man.

Here, Fletch is just kind of sleepy as he goes from scene to scene (don't look for a plot, there isn't one) being upstaged by other characters - again, literally the opposite of what makes these movies work. Hamm does have comic timing but is just too damn handsome to believe. Re-casting the role is basically impossible but while I get that Hamm would probably have looked silly in the scruffy gear that Chase wore, he's nonetheless just too stylish.

I was interested to read that the third Fletch movie was at one time going to star Jason Lee and be directed by Kevin Smith - I'd imagine that would have been a far better - and funnier - take on the character.

Sadly, and surprisingly, mediocre film. All sorts of plot gaps, weak character development, thin plotting, etc. Seems like the folks in charge couldn't decide if they were aiming for a comedy, a thriller, or a mystery and instead ended up with none of the above.

The plotline is so muddled it's hard to know who was responsible for what.

My wife and I "enjoyed" it, because who doesn't like Jon Hamm, but we couldn't recommend it to anyone else. And even Hamm is largely wasted in this role, with his ironic/humorous sense of self completely lost in the mix. It could have been a wonderful movie, a tentpole for a franchise, but instead was just a waste. They end with a set-up for a sequel and we can only hope it's better.

Confess Fletch is a breezily entertaining caper with a fun cast of characters and an engaging central mystery led by the ideal person to anchor this. It's a complete story that doesn't overtly sequel bait which is exactly why it deserves one should it ever come to fruition. Just watching Jon Hamm be endlessly charming, adorable and funny is enough to sustain all 98 minutes.

This is a lovely showcase for Jon Hamm's leading man talents. He's got the rare gift of being generically dashing whilst also having great comedic timing which is constantly employed for solid dry wit that never fails to get a chuckle. Even though it's his film, the supporting cast still gets plenty to work with, ensuring everyone is memorable and the film never forgets about them.

Gregg Mottola's direction makes up for what it lacks in visual flair with a general playfulness, especially in the deadpan delivery and the way title cards are dropped. The tone never waivers so it always remains lighthearted and the nice pacing ensures proceedings move at a steady pace. David Arnold's retro score is the ideal choice for the lighthearted tone and fits the throwback nature of the film.

Back when dinosaurs roamed (before the internet), every drug store and pharmacy on the planet offered patrons rows and rows of things called "pocketbooks" which people used to "read" (before streaming media and DVDs). In that specific setting, several bestselling authors stood out because of the multiple books featuring their name. One of those standout authors was Gregory MacDonald (no longer with us) and his fictional character was named Fletch. People loved Fletch not only because he was a cool (often unwilling) detective, but because the style of writing was incredibly concise and different. Short sentences. Things happened quickly. Dialog was briief. Narrative deboned with the fat removed. You get the picture. When the first series of Fletch films was made in 1985, Hollywood cast SNL icon Chevy Chase. He was good in the role. Hell, he was awesome. So here we are in the 2020s when, it seems, everything is being remade except your Aunt Bessie's peach cobbler. (And they are working on that.) Older viewers will inevitably compare Hamm to Chase, and possibly find fault. Younger viewers will be OK with this less edgy, more laid back version of Fletch. But then again they really have nothing to compare him to. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

I was uncertain about Jon Hamm taking over the role made famous by Chevy Chase, not sure he could pull off the funny sarcastic charm the way Chase pulled it off. But after seeing the movie I gotta say Hamm really knocked it out the park, now he is no Chevy Chase, but does play the part in his own funny way.

The film has a fun little mystery that keeps you invested. And there are other characters that Fletch joyfully plays off of. It's well directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland). Now is it anywhere near a classic like the original Fletch (1985), not quite. But still a fun film, that does not take itself seriously.