This movie is an old Chevy Chase film which I love, so I decided to review it. Even though, I am sure most of people have seen it. He has made so many bad career decisions lately--referring to most of his films in the 1990's and his very short lived late night talk show, I believe now his movies are in the direct to video category. So, I decided to bring back an oldie but a goodie from the 1980's, "Fletch."

Chevy Chase plays Irwin R. "Fletch" Fletcher who is a newspaper columnist for the LA Times, doing undercover work on drug trafficking along the beaches of LA--that's Los Angeles for those who don't know. While working on his story, he is approached by a rich man named Alan Stanwyk, played by Tim Matheson (Animal House), who takes Fletch back to his house. While there, Stanwyk asks Fletch to murder him, because he is dying of bone cancer.

Fletch eventually agrees to do this, then goes to his office and investigates Stanwyk. While at work, he is yelled at by his editor to work on the drug story. From here, Fletch goes on working both stories to find out who is responsible for the drug trafficking, and to find out the real reason why Stanwyk wants him dead.

I liked all aspects of this movie. Even though the story is a little too coincidental--you will see what I mean, I thought it was believable enough not distract from the acting, primarily Chevy Chase.

This is probably Chevy's best work, with maybe "National Lampoons Vacation and Christmas Vacation" as the exception--movies like "Caddyshack," "Three Amigos," and "Spies Like Us" are too much of an ensemble, even though he is great in those.

The script for "Fletch" really lets Chase do what he does best ,which is deliver one liners with a quick wit, and when necessary, use his physical humor to enhance the moment. The constant use of different names, famous names, while he is undercover is great--although John Cocktolstin is my favorite of his aliases.

I feel this movie is great, and if you have not already seen it, then you should. There are lots of well known people in the film, George Wendt (TV's Cheers), Geena Davis (The Accidental Tourist) before she was popular, and Joe Don Baker (Cape Fear) to name a few. The movie was directed by Michael Ritchie who has done other movies, such as the sequel "Fletch Lives," "Bad News Bears," "The Golden Child" and another one of my favorite films "Diggstown." Unfortunately, he died in 2001.

Go rent this movie, or if you see it available, buy it. It's a classic.

Brian - the Naked Gun