Movie Review: Fletch (1985)

★★★★★

I grew up watching Fletch with my dad, and even now, it still makes me laugh out loud. Chevy Chase’s charm and sarcasm are unmatched.

Beth L.

Nevada

If you’ve ever wondered what it would look like to drop a sarcastic investigative reporter into a noir mystery, hand him a series of disguises, and let Chevy Chase run wild with it, you’ll find your answer in Fletch. As someone who grew up loving offbeat comedies and anything resembling a detective story, I rewatched Fletch recently for BoxReview.com, and I have to say it’s aged in a surprisingly unique way.

Yes, this is a classic Chevy Chase comedy. Yes, it’s filled with goofy disguises, dry wit, and a storyline that sometimes plays second fiddle to Chase’s improvisation. But rewatching it with 2020s eyes gave me a fresh appreciation for what this film does so cleverly, and where it quietly plays with genre in ways few movie reviews tend to explore.

Plot That Doesn’t Rush to Impress

Let’s start with the basics. Fletch follows I.M. Fletcher, an investigative journalist working undercover as a beach bum to expose a drug ring in Los Angeles. While on assignment, he’s approached by a rich man named Alan Stanwyk (played by Tim Matheson), who asks him to commit a bizarre crime: murder Stanwyk himself in exchange for a hefty payout. The catch? Stanwyk claims he’s dying of cancer and just wants to avoid a painful end.

Of course, nothing is what it seems. As Fletch digs deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of insurance fraud, police corruption, and identity games.

The mystery itself is clever, even if the film leans more heavily on character than plot pacing. But that’s where the brilliance lies, Fletch isn’t really about the mystery. It’s about watching a wildly sarcastic character outsmart everyone around him, often with nothing more than a fake name and a deadpan expression.

A Closer Look at the Comedy

Most movie reviews will tell you that Chevy Chase shines here, and they’re not wrong. But what’s often missed is how Fletch uses humor as a disguise (literally and figuratively). Fletch slips into personas not just to gather information, but to disarm, confuse, and provoke reactions. He’s not just funny, he’s strategically funny.

Take, for example, the way Fletch talks to the doctors, lawyers, and cops he encounters. His offbeat aliases and improvisations are classic Chase, but they also double as social satire. He pokes fun at bureaucracy, class privilege, and even medical gatekeeping, all while staying one step ahead of people who underestimate him.

It’s this layered use of humor that makes Fletch stand out from your standard 80s comedy. It’s not slapstick. It’s smart, it’s cynical, and it rarely feels forced. As someone who watches a lot of retro films for Box Review, I love it when a comedy also dares to say something subtle about the world around it.

The Visual Identity of Fletch

One thing I rarely see discussed in other Fletch reviews is how visually distinct this film is. Director Michael Ritchie gives it a breezy, sun-washed California look that mirrors the laid-back attitude of its lead character. But there’s contrast too, dim offices, sterile hospitals, and wealthy estates that add tension to Fletch’s wandering lifestyle.

Even the costuming deserves a mention. Fletch’s disguises range from ridiculous to believable, but they’re also a narrative device. Each costume tells you who Fletch is pretending to be and how far he’ll go to avoid playing by the rules. It’s almost like a running commentary on the absurdity of authority and conformity.

Supporting Characters Worth More Attention

Chevy Chase naturally dominates the screen, but the supporting cast adds surprising texture. Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, as Gail Stanwyk, brings a grounded presence that balances Fletch’s chaos. Her chemistry with Chase is understated, but believable. Joe Don Baker, playing the corrupt Chief Karlin, delivers menace with a side of sleaze that helps raise the stakes when the film drifts too far into comedic territory.

Tim Matheson, too, gives a performance that’s more complex than it first appears. His smooth-talking, rich guy routine masks a deeply manipulative core, and that subtlety is often missed in reviews that focus solely on the laughs.

Why Fletch Still Holds Up

As someone who’s seen hundreds of 80s films for BoxReview.com, I can confidently say that Fletch holds up better than many of its contemporaries. It doesn’t rely on nostalgia or cheap gags. Its humor comes from character, timing, and a genuinely sharp script adapted from Gregory McDonald’s bestselling novel.

That said, it may not work for everyone. If you’re looking for a tight, twisty mystery or high-energy slapstick, this might feel too slow or dry. But if you appreciate character-driven comedy, witty writing, and satire wrapped in a trench coat and Lakers jersey, Fletch will likely win you over.

Final Thoughts

Revisiting Fletch reminded me why I love movie reviews that go beyond surface-level commentary. There’s more to this film than Chevy Chase in a wig. It’s a smart, sly, genre-blending comedy that pokes fun at everyone from the police to the press, without ever losing its cool.

And maybe that’s the charm. Fletch doesn’t try to wow you with set pieces or explosions. It simply trusts its lead character and the audience to enjoy a ride that’s equal parts mystery, comedy, and commentary.

If you haven’t seen it or haven’t watched it in years, give Fletch another look. You might be surprised by how clever it still is.