Now Playing: Fletch

Original release May 31, 1985

Fletch

Cast:
Chevy Chase – Irwin Fletcher
Tim Matheson – Alan Stanwyk
Dana Wheeler-Nicholson – Gail Stanwyk
Joe Don Baker – Chief Jerry Karlin
Richard Libertini – Frank Walker
Geena Davis – Larry

Directed by Michael Ritchie
Distributed by Universal
Written by Andrew Bergman (screenplay),
Gregory McDonald (original story)

As an investigative reporter for a newspaper, Fletch writes under the pseudonym 'Jane Doe' and freely changes identities whenever he feels the urge during his hunt for a story. I miss comedies like these where the humor is subtle and not in-your-face slapstick. The story could have been treated very seriously, but the nonchalant, wise-cracking  approach of “life is actually pretty funny and you should stop and laugh at it or you'll go nuts” leaves you willing to follow along. And Chevy Chase was in his hayday when the film was released, having just come off National Lampoon's Vacation in 1983 and Caddyshack in 1980; even now he claims this was his favorite role.



The movie opens with a dry wit monologue by Fletch that in part explains what he does for a living and, more specifically, what he is doing meandering on the beach with junkies. The city is facing a drug trafficking problem and he's simply trying to find the source. Are there investigative reporters who go undercover like this anymore? Were there ever?

But then a man approaches him, not knowing his real identity, and offers $1000 just to listen to his proposition. Which sounds awfully suspect, but he assures Fletch there's nothing sexual. The proposal is that he wants Fletch to kill him. He says his name is Alan Stanwyk and explains that he has bone cancer and would rather not suffer through the worst – while suicide would nullify any insurance payout, murder was perfectly acceptable.

So now Fletch begins a second investigation to find out if this man's story is legit, and why he would really be willing to be murdered. His boss, Frak Walker played so well by Richard Libertini, isn't sure about giving him much room, but Larry, played by young and upcoming Geena Davis, does anything he asks, including doing research on microfiche. Microfiche, people. This is how information was collated and researched back in the day.

Young Ones, ask your elders what this is. Also ask your elders about the British show The Young Ones while you're at it.

He is able to snoop through a hospital under various disguises and obtain patient records that show no indication of cancer. He is able to question the CEO of the company Stanwyk is Vice President of and obtain several leads to property in Utah and personal finances. And he is able to sneak into the country club he is a member of and befriend his wife.

Sometimes the acceptance of various identities feels far too easy. Pretending to be someone else and getting their airline information, as well as that of the passenger that is scheduled to sit next to you, just won't work these days. These days you would be lucky to get your own information. Simply declaring you are with so-and-so party at a country club certainly would never grant you the ability to charge whatever you like to their tab. Still, the on-the-spot quick wit was fun to keep up with.

Through a series of leads, Fletch is able to discover that not only is Stanwyk not suffering from bone cancer, but the drug trafficking may be related. Through a micup with the local police he also discovers that the two may be related and the police, at least a corrupt few, may be involved.

As the pieces fell into place it was easy to see where it was headed, but the result was still worth sitting through. If you treat the film as purely a comedy you may be disappointed. If you treat it as a mystery you may again be disappointed. But if you treat it as a mystery with a comedic approach, this is spot on. It's a good light-hearted appraoch to a serious subject. And with the comedic talents of Chevy Chase as lead, it is definitely a treat.

The book was written by Gregory McDonald in 1974 and in 1975 was award the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best First Novel. The adaptation was somewhat loose and, allegedly, McDonald was furious how far the script deviated. But the director, Ritchie, asked him to sit on set to watch and pointed out to him that he was wrong to object. The sequel, Fletch Lives, was an original screenplay.

Work on adapting the prequel, Fletch Won, has been going on for over a decade. Originally in the hands of Kevin Smith, who wanted a new lead played by Ben Affleck (also rumored: Jimmy Fallon, Brad Pitt, and Will Smith, - seriously - ), it changed hands to being under the writing/directing chair of Bill Lawrence, who was rumored to wanting Zach Braff as the lead. At last report Steve Pink is at the helm and is considering Joshua Jackson or Zach Galifianakis for the lead role.

I don't know. Chevy Chase may not be for everyone, but he is without a doubt a hard thing to replace.