In 2022, a movie made it’s way to theaters…and hardly anyone went to buy a ticket.
A month after it was in theaters, I happened to be on a plane and watched it. I was laughing so hard that the gentleman across the aisle tapped my shoulder and asked “What are you watching?!?!”
It was Confess, Fletch.
Yes, it was a sort of sequel to the Fletch films of the 80s that starred Chevy Chase. This time around it stars Jon Hamm.
When I told sports director Jack Michaels that I really liked this movie he was immediately against the idea of a Fletch movie without Chevy Chase. I reminded him that the second Fletch wasn’t exactly a classic and this sequel has been brewing for 30 years.
I remember hearing that a prequel series was set with Kevin Smith to direct and Jason Lee (who would go on to be a household name as Earl in My Name is Earl) would star. Other rumors over the years with whomever was the latest actor who could muster sarcasm (I believe Bradley Cooper was also a Fletch option). Hollywood wanted to be in the Fletch business. They wanted another romp with the man who called himself “Underhill.”
In Confess, Fletch – our titular hero is a freelance writer in New York who is immediately pulled into a murder case in which he is the main suspect. His girlfriend is a wealthy Italian woman with a father who has been kidnapped. An odd art dealer, a mother-in-law who is also a gold digger (Marcia Gay-Harden in a role that made me spit out some bloody-mary) as well as some other colorful folks he encounters.
Jon Hamm takes the role of Irwin Fletcher with plenty of saltiness and smarm. He isn’t nearly as broad as Chevy Chase was, but he is not playing against the 80s’ – he finds the perfect level of snark for the 21st century and this woke culture we find ourselves navigating.
This movie was just dang funny. If someone who has never seen a Fletch movie gets to experience Jon Hamm as their first introduction to Fletch, I think they would be clamoring for another outing. A sequel? Not likely…unless this blog can get enough people to make Confess, Fletch chart on Amazon Prime Video Rentals.
Do yourself a favor, watch Confess, Fletch and then pick up one of the novels to which these films are based. You will be in for a real treat!
