Essential Comedy Classic Fletch is released on updated DVD format
"You know, if you shoot me, you're liable to lose a lot of those humanitarian awards."
Hilarious, frenetic and downright smart, Fletch has gathered a huge fan base in the years since its 1985 release. Its popularity has been attributed to the star of the film, Chevy Chase, who went on to carve out a stellar career in film comedy and became an eighties icon for his quick wit and ready disguises in the role of Fletch. Success on various formats across two decades has also been credited to the inspired direction of Michael Ritchie, and the origins of the film's creation, the novels by Gregory McDonald. But perhaps the enduring appeal of Fletch lies in the way it bears repeated viewing, and has become as much a video and DVD hit as any other comedy film in the last two decades.
A Star in DisguiseThis iconic comedy centres on one character - Fletch. Chevy Chase takes the lead as Irwin M. Fletcher, investigative newspaper reporter extraordinaire, who comes armed with wigs, buck-teeth and a Dictaphone. Fletch's unorthodox methods of gaining evidence against drug-smugglers operating on the local beach leads a wandering plot that twists and turns to a wholly satisfying conclusion. Throughout the film, Chase delivers a sparkling script with conviction and wit, and the character from the novels is brought to a larger than life shape on screen. Many believe the film to be Chase's highlight in a career that has also seen him star in the National Lampoon series and Caddyshack, alongside Bill Murray.
Strength in Depth
Strong support performances come in the shape of Joe Don Baker (Goldeneye, The Living Daylights) as the crooked but convincing Chief of Police and Tim Matheson as Alan Stanwyk. Matheson had a strong pedigree in hit comedies, having starred in the 1978 film Animal House, eventually moving on to serious drama in the shape of The West Wing. The three main players are ably assisted by the excellent George Wendt (from TV's Cheers) as Fat Sam, Chief Karlin's contact on the beach, and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, who plays Alan Stanwyk's wife Gail, who becomes the love interest for Fletch as the film progresses.
"Oh, you've remodelled the garage. Must have cost you hundreds."
Style and Substance
Fletch plays with the premise that not only can newspaper reporters fight for justice but also that they can get away with it and come out the other side, and Chevy Chase carries this heroic maxim during the film. The pace and panache of Andrew Bergman's screenplay is complimented by Harold Faltermeyer's outstanding soundtrack, which enjoyed contributions from artists as diverse as Kim Wilde and John Farnham. Chase himself has been quoted as saying the role of Fletch is his favourite to date, and it's not hard to see why. His comic timing and physical mannerisms are given full range in a film that has gone on to gain a whole new audience a generation on.
