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  • 1985
  • PG
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 38 m
  • 1985
  • PG
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 38 m

Summary Chevy Chase is at his best in this suspense-packed comedy thriller based on Gregory McDonald's best-seller. Irwin Fletch, a.k.a. Fletch (Chase), is an investigative reporter who's constantly changing his identity. While working on a drug expose, Fletch attracts the attention of a strange businessman (Tim Matheson) who wants to be killed ...

Directed By: Michael Ritchie

Written By: Gregory McDonald, Andrew Bergman, Phil Alden Robinson

  • 1985
  • PG
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 38 m
  • 1985
  • PG
  • Universal Pictures
  • 1 h 38 m

Fletch

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
68
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 19 User Ratings
7.5
My Score
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Where to Watch

Summary Chevy Chase is at his best in this suspense-packed comedy thriller based on Gregory McDonald's best-seller. Irwin Fletch, a.k.a. Fletch (Chase), is an investigative reporter who's constantly changing his identity. While working on a drug expose, Fletch attracts the attention of a strange businessman (Tim Matheson) who wants to be killed ...

Directed By: Michael Ritchie

Written By: Gregory McDonald, Andrew Bergman, Phil Alden Robinson

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
68
82% Positive
9 Reviews
9% Mixed
1 Review
9% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 11 Critic Reviews
68
82% Positive
9 Reviews
9% Mixed
1 Review
9% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
90
Even the car chase in Fletch is witty and believable and something an adult can attend without flinching. As the adolescent revels of summer wear on, that alone could make it a movie to cherish.
By Richard Schickel FULL REVIEW
80
Admittedly, the storyline weaves all over the place, but no matter — Chase's performance and a plethora of daft and witty situations carry it past some structural rough spots.
By Duane Byrge FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 19 User Ratings
7.5
79% Positive
15 Ratings
21% Mixed
4 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 19 User Ratings
7.5
79% Positive
15 Ratings
21% Mixed
4 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
FelicityFenwick
May 18, 2017
I don't think there is a movie that my friends and I quoted more than fletch. It's so funny in so many ways, but it also has that great film noir quality about it. I would suggest that next to maybe Caddy shack, this is Chevy Chase's best role.
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8
royalguy07
Feb 26, 2024
Just classic fun Chevy, the story is complete nonsense but all the humor and characters are still great. Also has another incredible Faltermeyer score.
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80
Director Michael Ritchie refreshingly shows no reverence for film noir. And screenwriter Andrew Bergman, who co-wrote "Blazing Saddles," shows no mercy in what turns out to be a good mystery as well as comedy. [31 May 1985, p.25]
By Rita Kempley FULL REVIEW
75
Fast-paced and witty, this is Chase's best solo venture to date, and will hold almost anyone's attention for its well-edited 98 minutes. Chase underplays his wackier moments to great effect, though he isn't always quite as funny as he thinks he is. (He also isn't the next Cary Grant, which he seems to believe as well.)
FULL REVIEW
70
An enjoyable paperback of a film, a lightweight, breezy experience that, by never pretending to be anything more than what it is, disarms criticism.
By Vincent Canby FULL REVIEW
63
Fletch needed an actor more interested in playing the character than in playing himself.
By Richard Roeper FULL REVIEW
30
Such soft fare that it makes your eyes feel gummy. Andrew Bergman's script has no comic tension and no thrills. [3 June 1985, p.65]
By Jack Kroll FULL REVIEW
See All 11 Critic Reviews
7
Compi24
Nov 18, 2017
One of the more frustrating 80's comedies I've ever seen, as "Fletch" is not only quotable, engrossing, and fun, it features probably one of the best performances from Chevy Chase this side of "Caddyshack." My problems with "Fletch" lie within the tonal inconsistencies that I found all throughout though. Again, it's hilarious at times, with riotous dialogue delivered through expert deadpan. It also features a really compelling mystery that kept me interested and wanting more. But the more and more I thought about the two sides of this "Fletch" coin, the more and more I realized that - like a coin - I could never actually see both sides at the same time. The two tones never really meshed as well as I would have liked. But, with that said, it's still an underrated comedic feat that should be appreciated by more.
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6
Robwinz
Dec 11, 2020
Fletch is an alright movie. The movie's got an alright story, good acting, great dialogue, terrible pacing and some very hit and miss humour.
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5
DawdlingPoet
Nov 28, 2021
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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Details

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Production Company Universal Pictures, Vincent Pictures
Release Date May 31, 1985
Duration 1 h 38 m
Rating PG
Genres
Tagline Meet the only guy who changes his identity more often than his underwear.
Website https://www.facebook.com/FletchMovie/
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Awards

Edgar Allan Poe Awards
• 1 Nomination

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