Movie Review – Confess, Fletch

Jon Hamm plays Irwin Fletcher (Fletch to his friends), a former investigative journalist, who opens the film in a relationship with a woman named Angela. (Lorenza Izzo) She is in a bit of family drama involving a stepmother known as The Countess (Marcia Gay Harden) and a missing art collection. While investigating the situation, Fletch discovers a dead body in his Airbnb. Leading two cops into their own investigation—played by Roy Wood Jr. and Ayden Mayeri that centers on Fletch as the main suspect in the murder. Fletch has to clear his own name, find the missing art, and get up to some silly comedy hijinks along the way.

Let’s tackle this right off the bat. Chevy Chase versus Jon Hamm version of Fletch. Both play the bumbling investigator (reporter) that gets into humorous situations in interesting but different ways. If you know the older Chevy Chase movies and are a fan of them. They might set some unfair expectations for the newer movie. Some of the wacky disguises/voices/characters Chevy Chase took on as Fletch. Added a type of humor back in the day. John Hamm’s version of Fletch does introduce himself with different names. But doesn’t do any wacky voices or characters. He plays it much more like a straight man bumbling into awkward and humorous situations. Both have the charm to talk themselves in and out of situations. I don’t know the 11 books that were the source material. But I did hear Chase did a lot of ad-libbing and adding a bit of the National Lampoon-style comedy. So maybe Hamm is closer to the source material. I just don’t know that answer. Knowing the previous movies might actually hurt your expectations coming into this movie. It did for me. It might actually be better if you come in and are seeing it fresh.

So ultimately that’s the big takeaway, I did enjoy what they did with Confess, Fletch. If you come in with expectations of a quirky bumbling investigator, along the lines of Naked Gun movies / the Pink Panther movies. Or wacky personalities, like the previously mentioned, National Lampoon’s style comedy or even like Mr. Bean. Unfortunately, you’re going to be disappointed. Don’t come in with any expectations just let the movie be what it is. Still, its humor wrapped around a crime story. If I had this knowledge beforehand my rating would probably be higher. Hopefully, you’re benefiting from my experience. Here is hoping on my rewatch in the near future, I will enjoy it a little more.

Tell a friend to see it?
Yes

Would I rewatch it?
Yes

Would I want to own a copy?
To add to the Fletch Collection. Yes

Must-see in theaters?
To support, sure. This movie does not require the big screen or sound. The story could transfer to the small screen.

Do you need to see the original movies to enjoy this one?
No. Recommended to actually not see the originals beforehand.

Grade: B

About The Peetimes: There is a lot of dialogue in this movie. I did find 3 Peetimes. The 2nd and 3rd are recommended. None of these are going to completely avoid comical bits.

There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Confess, Fletch.

Rated:	(R) Drug Use | Some Sexual Content | Language
Genres:	Comedy, Crime
Starring:	Marcia Gay Harden, Jon Hamm, John Slattery
Director:	Greg Mottola
Writer(s):	Zev Borow, Gregory McDonald, Greg Mottola
Language:	English
Country:	United States

Plot
After becoming the prime suspect in multiple murders, Fletch strives to prove his innocence while simultaneously searching for his fiancé’s stolen art collection.