Fletch

1985
PG
1h 38m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

While working undercover wisecracking newspaper reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher is offered a large sum by a millionaire with a terminal disease to kill him. Intrigued, Fletch decides to une... Read allWhile working undercover wisecracking newspaper reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher is offered a large sum by a millionaire with a terminal disease to kill him. Intrigued, Fletch decides to unearth the full story behind the offer.While working undercover wisecracking newspaper reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher is offered a large sum by a millionaire with a terminal disease to kill him. Intrigued, Fletch decides to unearth the full story behind the offer.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

59K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Videos1

Trailer 1:25

Fletch

Photos85

+ 77

More like this

6.1

Fletch Lives

6.4

Spies Like Us

7.2

Caddyshack

7.3

National Lampoon's Vacation

6.2

National Lampoon's European Vacation

6.2

6.5

6.4

7.1

6.8

6.8

6.7

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
Chevy Chase has mentioned in interviews that this is his favorite of his movies, because it let him be himself.

Goofs
The ticket agent informs Fletch, who she thinks is Mr. Stanwyk, the seat beside his on the next-day flight to Rio is occupied by Sally Ann Cavanaugh, who is connecting from Provo. Later, when Fletch calls his newspaper office, he asks Larry to check LA hotels for Sally Ann Cavanaugh. Why would she need a hotel if she is on a connecting flight? Because she has a very long connection, about 30 hours, so she must spend the night in LA. Fletch knows this because the guy with the shotgun told him she moved out in the morning a day before the evening flight to Rio.

Quotes
Dr. Joseph Dolan: So where do you know Alan from?
Fletch: We play tennis at the club.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Really? California Racquet Club?
Fletch: Right.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: That's my club too. I don't remember seeing you there.
Fletch: Well, I haven't been playing in a while because of these kidney pains.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Right. Now, how long have you had these pains, Mr. Barber?
Fletch: No, that's "Babar".
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Two B's?
Fletch: One B. B-A-B-A-R.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: That's two.
Fletch: Yeah, but not right next to each other. I thought that's what you meant.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: Arnold Babar. Isn't there a children's book about an elephant named Babar?
Fletch: I don't know. I don't have any.
Dr. Joseph Dolan: No children?
Fletch: No elephant books.

Alternate versions
The German DVD version (which has a "12" rating) omits Fletch's line "Yeah, go down to the gym and pump each other" - after Karlin asks the arresting officers, "Why don't you two leave us alone?", there is a cut and the two just leave the room.

Connections
Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Chevy Chase/Maureen Murphy/Vanity (1985)

Soundtracks
Bit By Bit
(Theme From Fletch)
Performed by Stephanie Mills
Written by Harold Faltermeyer and Franne Golde
Produced by Harold Faltermeyer

User reviews155

Review

Featured review

7/10

interesting investigations more suspenseful than funny

Irwin Fletcher (Chevy Chase) is a smart-mouthed L.A. investigative reporter with pen name Jane Doe. He's infiltrating the drug trade at the beach when he's approached by Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson). He wants the supposed bum Fletch to shoot him because he has bone cancer. He's willing to pay $50k. Fletch's editor Frank Walker is hounding him for his drug story on Fat Sam selling drugs on the beach. Larry (Geena Davis) is his helpful sidekick. His investigation reveals that Alan isn't actually sick. He flirts with Alan's wife Gail. There's a land deal in Utah. Meanwhile his drug friend Gummy is kidnapped by the cops. Police Chief Jerry Karlin (Joe Don Baker) threatens him as the corrupt cops are after the reporter.

The wise-cracking Chevy Chase is marginally funny. What is most surprising is that there are a couple suspenseful investigation going on in this movie. I'm more invested in the story than actually laugh at Chevy. I'm not quite as impressed with the way Fletch handled Alan in the climatic scene. He's basically explaining the story while being the only guy without a gun. The disguises and the quick dialog are generally fun. It kind of reminds me of 'Beverly Hills Cop' except not quite as good.