Confess, Fletch took a while to get here. Kevin Smith, Jason Lee, and Ben Affleck have all been tied to a Fletch sequel over the years. After literally decades, Jon Hamm spearheaded the newest project. But after so long in development hell, does it live up to its legacy?
The story takes place years after the 1985 original. Irwin M. Fletcher (Jon Hamm) is no longer an investigative journalist (though he is quick to remind everyone of his past) and now travels Europe writing about art. When he comes to America to find some stolen paintings, he finds a dead woman in the townhome he is staying with all the evidence pointing to him as the killer.
It is hard to believe just how much of a comedic force 1980’s Chevy Chase was. He was a superstar that owned any and all roles he was given. Even the poorly executed Fletch Lives does not take away from the performance of Chase in the first movie. It is hard to imagine anyone taking over the character.
Yet, here is Hamm making the part his own. This is not easy when it comes to I.M. Fletcher. The character is not an all out asshole, but enough of one that people will say he is; he is not a bungling oaf, but is constantly tripping over himself; his quips are not outright mean, but his wit has bite to it. Most of all, Hamm brings charm to the character.
Fletch always had an appeal to him, but there was also an arrogance that could be overpowering. Hamm brings that same sense of self-importance, but it is more grounded. He knows he is good at what he does, but he does not think he is better than you. Confess, Fletch is never about making fun of others even when it is laughing at them.
Some of the comedy is almost too understated – there is a joke about a urinating dog that is easy to miss, for example – but Confess, Fletch is effortlessly funny. Hamm has always had great comedic timing, and it is on full display here. From rapid fire comebacks to physical comedy, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments to be found.
The humor works in tandem with the mystery aspects. Confess, Fletch does not rely on over the top disguises and sight gags. The film never lets the audience forget that there is a killer on the loose and missing paintings to be found. Every wisecrack and pratfall is in service to the larger story at hand.
All together, it is a worthy sequel to a classic that has seen its value tarnished by an inadequate follow up and the decline of Chase himself. Confess, Fletch has the tone, affability, and fun factor that made the original stand out.
Confess, Fletch comes to theaters, On Demand, and Digital September 16
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