Based loosely on Gregory McDonald’s Confess, Fletch mystery novel from 1976, this movie opens with Fletch (Jon Hamm) finding the body of a murdered woman in his rental apartment. Fletch just returned from Rome where he’s involved in recovering stolen masterpiece paintings worth millions, the kidnapping of the painting’s owner, and juggling his love life between the daughter of the owner and the owner’s seductive wife.
Fletch uses his skills honed as an investigative reporter to discover where the stolen paintings are stashed, who killed the woman in his apartment, and what the women in his life really want from him.
I liked the first Fletch (1985) comedy thriller starring Chevy Chase and directed by Michael Ritchie and written by Andrew Bergman. Confess, Fletch, directed by Greg Mottla, and written by Zev Borow struggles to advance the plot. The “comic” dialogue falls flat too often. Jon Hamm never really convinced me that he was Fletch. He seemed more like Jon Hamm in a Progressive Insurance commercial. And this 98-minute film mostly sags like a bad episode of a cable TV Hallmark mystery-of-the-week movie. GRADE: D
I had my doubts on this one. It kind of snuck into the theaters with little fanfare.
Steve, CONFESS, FLETCH showed up in only ONE theater in Western NY. I had to drive to the Galleria Mall to see it. Two people came into the Regel Theater just before CONFESS, FLETCH started so the three of us endured this dull movie.
John Hamm seemed to be a sure shot for major stardom after MAD MEN and it never quite happened. I’m still wondering exactly where he went wrong. I could say the same thing about McDonald’s FLETCH series. I loved the first couple of books and then just lost interest. I’m not sure I even saw the Chevy Chase movie.
Michael, I shared your experience with Gregory McDonald’s Fletch series. I liked the first few books and then the series became mediocre. Jon Hamm soared to stardom in MAD MEN but Hamm couldn’t replicate that success in any of the movies he was a part of afterward. His best role was in TOP GUN: MAVERICK.
He was very good in Baby Driver.
Steve, good point! I forgot about Hamm’s role in BABY DRIVER. Thanks for reminding me!
And on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Steve, I’m way behind on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM. I need to catch up!
The Fletch novels were wildly uneven. FLETCH WON and FLETCH, TOO were returns to form…as I recall them, CARIOCA FLETCH (which seemed like a way to write-off a Brazilian vacation as research) and FLETCH AND THE WIDOW BRADLEY were the nadirs of the series. Don’t think I got around to SON OF FLETCH. CONFESS, FLETCH was close to if not the best of them. Pity they pissed it away…but that helps explain the lack of support the studio’s giving the film.
Michael, the Chevy Chase movie was dreadful. Consider yourself lucky to have missed it.
Beth, Chevy Chase also made a sequel movie to FLETCH called FLETCH ALIVE in 1989. It wasn’t based on any of the Fletch books…it just “borrowed” the Fletch “look and feel.”
FLETCH LIVES! was the bad sequel. The easy response, of course, was “Nope” or “Says who?”
Jackie can’t believe you drove across Western NY to see this. It had “disaster” written all over it from the start, I’m afraid. I liked the early books too, and even liked the first Chase movie, but it is so, so, so dated now. And even though I generally like Hamm, I don’t see him as Fletch. He’s probably 15 years too old for a start.
Jeff, if you remember, Fletch won the Best First Novel Edgar Award in 1975, and Confess, Fletch won the Edgar for Best Paperback Original in 1977. This is the only time a novel and its sequel won back-to-back Edgars. But, Jackie is right. I should have figured out this updated version of CONFESS, FLETCH would bomb at the theater. And, you’r right: Jon Hamm is a little too old to play Fletch.
Well, maybe Fletch by the time of FLETCH WON.
Todd, I think FLETCH WON is one of the weakest novels in the series.
I think he should stay away from comedy. He is too iconic as Don Draper to do comedy. I don’t think it worked for Timothy Oliphant when he played in the vampire show either. I heard him on some podcast and he is really a smart guy. Too bad.
Patti, you’re right about Jon Hamm. Bright guy, gifted actor. But, he needs the Right Roles to truly shine.
He loves comedy. But everyone probably Doesn’t Want To Fail With The Don Draper Guy.
I”ve never heard of this. I’d give it a try, but Hamm has sunk to a new low with the Progressive commercials (got tired of them a loooong time ago, flo and the insane costumes they wear)
Maggie, I’m not sensing any chemistry between Flo and Jon Hamm in those Progressive commercials. Keep the bar low for CONFESS, FLETCH.
Never was much of a Jon Hamm fan, a little too much of a pretty boy for me.
I don’t know who I’d cast as the perfect Fletch.
Beth, I’d cast Chris Pine as Fletch.
I didn’t think the trailer looked enticing, but surprisingly it’s gotten good reviews, scoring 84% on Rotten Tomatoes, many of them very pleased with Jon Hamm’s performance. I’m still not convinced, and probably won’t watch it.
Jeff, Jon Hamm’s performance seemed awkward to me. But, then again, I read CONFESS, FLETCH and was comparing it in my mind while watching the movie take the plot into the ditch.
I thought Hamm was fine in MILLION DOLLAR ARM, BEIRUT and BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE, three we’ve watched in recent years.
Jeff, I consider Hamm a fine actor…if he’s given the Right Role. Hamm is no Fletch.
That is one sorry-looking poster, too.
Todd, the poster looks amateurish.