I had never seen a Fletch before. Somehow I’d avoided the original my entire 37 years of life despite generally enjoying Chevy Chase comedies.
Yesterday, I happened to discover the existence of Confess, Fletch, and being a John Hamm fan who thinks the guy has comedy potential, I thought I’d check it out.
I decided due diligence was necessary so I watched the original Fletch first so as to have a point of comparison before watching the new film.
I really didn’t like it. I couldn’t even finish it. I found the music grating and obnoxious right away but that was just a tone setter for the rest of the film. I hate how Fletch is written and I felt like Chase was the wrong casting, he isn’t genuinely hip enough to walk the line. I’m not buying what he’s selling and none of his jokes are funny. They just don’t land for me.
Halfway through Fletch I decided to call it and press onward to Confess, Fletch, thinking maybe Hamm would fare better.
I mean, I guess he does? He’s fine, if a bit paunchier these days. But I don’t think it’s his fault that this movie didn’t work for me, either. I don’t think it matter who plays Fletch, he just sucks on the page. Just an annoying guy. And the plots of both films never really grabbed me.
Obviously, I didn’t bother with Fletch Lives. Fletch should stay dead.