Product Details

• Actors: Chevy Chase, Tim Matheson, Joe Don Baker, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Richard Libertini
• Directors: Michael Ritchie
• Writers: Andrew Bergman
• Producers: Alan Greisman, Peter Douglas
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Universal Pictures
• DVD Release Date: August 19, 1998
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (143 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783227981
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,689 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Fletch" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Gregory McDonald's lightweight mystery novel about an undercover newspaper reporter cracking a police drug ring is transformed by screenwriter Andrew Bergman (Blazing Saddles, and writer/director of The Freshman and Honeymoon in Vegas) into a fairly sarcastic and occasionally very funny Chevy Chase vehicle. Enjoyment of the film pivots on whether you find Chase's flippant, smart-ass brand of verbal humor funny, or merely egocentric. If you don't like Chase, there's really no one else worth watching (Geena Davis is sadly underused). Chase seems born to play I.M. "Fletch" Fletcher, a disillusioned investigative reporter whose cynicism and detached view on life mirrors the actor's understated approach to comedy. Fletcher offers Chase the opportunity to adopt numerous personas, as his job requires numerous (bad) physical disguises, and much of film's humor centers on the ridiculous idea that any of these phony accents or bad hairpieces could fool anyone. These not-so-clever disguises are put to use when Fletch becomes involved in the film's smart but continually self-mocking two-part mystery. As well as trying to gather drug-smuggling evidence against the LAPD for a long-overdue newspaper story, a rich and apparently terminally ill stranger also offers Fletch a large payoff to kill him. While the film does a fairly good job juggling both of these plots, not to mention tossing in a love interest as well, it's subservient, for better or worse, to Chase's memorable one-liners and disguises. Followed by two forgettable sequels that lack both the original's wit and Chase's attention span. --Dave McCoy

Product Description

Chevy Chase, Tim Matheson. A wisecracking LA reporter with a knack for creating elaborate disguises investigates a drug ring and outwits his foes at every turn. 1985/color/96 min/PG/SP/(CC).

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fletch March 25, 2008

By Kelly VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Irwin Fletcher "Fletch" is a newspaper reporter writing as Jane Joe that does what it takes to get the story. Many of his stories require him to go undercover, as his current assignment does. He is on a trail to expose those involved in a drug smuggling ring, but has learned some of the players are even part of the police department. While sniffing out leads, he is lead in another direction when a wealthy man approaches him mistaking Fletch for a transient. He tells Fletch that he is suffering from a terminal illness, and would like to hire Fletch to kill him. Since life insurance policies don't pay out in cases of suicide, he wants to make sure his wife is well provided for in the future. Fletch being the curious guy he is decides to investigate the millionaire's claim. When he discovers that his dying millionaire is not dying, but is in fact hiding a secret life as well as a second wife, the "chase" is on!

This is one of Chevy Chase's finest performances! He takes his comedic genius up a step for this film. The disguises, mannerisms, and funny dialogue showcase him perfectly. No one can slide those one-liners in like he can.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Comedy of ALL TIME!!! November 20, 2000

By the_review_guy

Format:VHS Tape

GET THIS MOVIE!!! I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!! Chevy Chase made a few bad movies when he got started but this ISN'T one of them. As an undercover investigative reporter, Irwin M. Fletcher looks into the local drug traffic, only to get caught up in insurance fraud, police corruption, embezzlement and another man's suit.

He's Baba au Rum - Holistic Teamster, Magic "Fletch" Christian - Los Angeles Lakers, Ted Nugent - Beach Bum, Igor Stravinsky - Real Estate Developer, Harry S. Truman - Insurance Agent, G. Gordon Liddy - Ajax Supervisor, and a host of of others.

Look for Larry "Flash" Jenkins ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off"), Joe Don Baker, Tim Matheson, and the beautiful Dana Wheeler-Nicholson. Plus Geena Davis, George Wendt ("Cheers"), Richard Libertini ("The In-Laws") and Tony Longo ("Eraser"). M. Emmett Wash is the rubber-gloved doctor who examines his patients VERY thoroughly. And there's William Sanderson of TV's "Newhart". And finally Burton Gilliam of "Blazing Saddles". Whew!!!

Chase's one-liners and trickery are so subtle that it probably confounds most professional movie critics. They're always tuned to either the person he's playing or the role he's fulfilling. The autopsy scene is not to be forgotten, but you may have to turn up the volume for the full effect (sorry about that!).

Learn the one-liners here and you'll have an automatic response for most everday situations. Excellent soundtrack as well.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "I'm afraid I'm goona have to pull rank on you here..." October 18, 2000

By matt VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

Fletch is my personal favorite comedy and without a doubt, one of the funniest movies ever made. Chevy Chase is perfectly cast as Irwin Fletcher, a wise cracking newspaper reporter working undercover on a beach to expose a drug running operation. At the same time, he is mistaken for a junkie by shady millionare Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson) who asks Fletch to murder him. Fletch agrees but launches an investigation into finding out why this man wants to be killed. This isn't lowbrow humor, it's quick witted and very fast. Fletch requires a few viewings before one is able to grab all the jokes, but it's well worth it. I've seen this movie about 30 times and each and every time I watch, it remains as funny as the first time I saw it. If you've liked Chevy Chase in Caddyshack or National Lampoon's Vacation, than you'll love him here. The dialogue is witty and extremely quotable. Chase's Fletch often disguises himself as he investigates the two mysteries, his cheap disguises and alias' (Ted Nugent, Don Corleone, Dr. Rosenpenis) are hysterical, Chase is a master of deadpan wisecracks, this movie is a perfect showcase for his talent.Aside from the brilliance of Fletch as a comedy, Fletch functions perfectly as a well made mystery movie. I disagree with one reviewer who praised the movie as a comedy but said it wasn't a very good movie. Fletch is a very good movie and aside from Chevy Chase, there are many other reasons for the success of this classic. Screenwriter Andrew Bergman has written one of the trickiest scripts in Hollywood history, it manages to be flat out hilarious, and captivating in the same light. Whenever I watch this film with a new viewer, they are always surprised as to how much the storyline grabbed them.... Another plus with this movie is Harold Faltermeyer's superb synthesizer score. It's similar to his earlier Beverly Hills Cop score, maybe even better, it helps set the tone of this movie perfectly. Last but not least, we have the direction, all under the sure hand of Michael Ritchie. He keeps things moving and maintains a comedic tone which occasionally borders on seriousness to help the story progress. Balancing tones isn't easy, in this film it's done so well, it's hardly even noticable.Fletch is all around, an excellent film, but before everything else, it's a VERY funny film. A true cult classic. For audiences whom have seen Beverly Hills Cop, think along those lines, I always thought it would be amusing to see what would happen if Chase's Fletch met with Eddie Murphy's Axel Foley of the Cop films. If you've seen those than you have a good idea of what to expect with Fletch, a film loaded with belly laughs as long as you're willing to pick up on them. Read more ›

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Chevy Chase Movie, period. August 13, 2004

By John M Spangler

Format:DVD

Waiter: You a member of the club senor? Fletch: No I'm not I'm with the Underhills. Waiter: They already left senor? Fletch: That's all right, he'll be back, he went out for his urinalysis. Waiter: Would you like to order something senor I'll put it on the Underhill's bill? Fletch: Ahh, very good, I'll have a bloody mary, a steak sandwich, and..... a steak sandwich. Waiter: Thank you very much senor. Fletch: It's the nicest place...

If Chevy had a bright spot in his career, this is certainly one of them. Every line, every minute, all ad libbed, no script, no idea what he will say next, just Chevy doing what he does best. Christmas vacation, Vacation, CaddyShack, no comparison to the original Fletch. If you've never seen this movie, you absolutely have to and considering it's from 1985, where have you been? I think I've seen this movie 100 times and I think I'll watch it 100 more before I go the way of the dodo. If you're having a bad day at work, lost your job, lost a girlfriend or boyfriend or just want to smile, pop this DVD in and start laughing from start to finish. If you don't even chuckle while watching this zany farce, you might need mental help for sense of humor submission.

What a great moment in movie history when the Doctor asks Fletch to "drop your shorts and bend over Mister Babar" Moments later you hear Chevy hurl out the song "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOON River! Thank you doc, you ever serve time? Doctor: Breathe easy... Fletch: "you using the whole fist doc?"

Other good notables are the sweet acting of Tim Mattheson and Genna Davis. Tim Mattheson, most known for his lead role as head fraternity brother (Otter) in Animal House, does a 180 and tries for the evil husband with a financial darkside.... This movie also makes for some great pickup lines for the single males. Try this one when you see a beautiful woman in a towel. "Can I borrow your towel for a sec, my car just hit a water buffalo." Cherish Fletch forever and enjoy Chevy when he knew how to make people laugh. Read more ›