Fletch Lives

• Directed by Michael Ritchie
• March 17, 1989
• Based on the character created by Gregory Mcdonald

After the death of a relative, Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher heads to his newly inherited plantation and finds himself in the center of a mystery.

Chevy Chase was once a beloved comedic film star. That was before his general reputation and demeanor seems to have burned every bridge to continued celebrity in Hollywood and among the general public. Fletch Lives is Chevy Chase at the top of his game in the type of role he was good at. As Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher he is the perfect charming asshole. It’s equal parts weird and funny and you’re sometimes wondering exactly what you’re watching but it’s silly enough to be entertaining.

Chase was never the traditional Hollywood leading man. He was no ugly cave troll, but he did not have movie star good looks. What he did have was the ability to generate chemistry and be charming with whatever woman he was paired with when necessary. In Fletch Lives he does it twice with Patricia Kalember who is briefly in this as Amanda Ray Ross and Julianne Phillips as main romantic interest Becky Culpepper. You can actually believe they would be into him.

There is plenty in this movie that would not pass muster today. Many of Fletch’s jokes are double entendres with dirty alternate meanings. And they are just slipped in to rather hilarious effect. One that has been living rent free in my head since I’ve seen this was the Klan scene where Fletch dons the hilariously bad KKK costume. Another joke is the character named Calculus Entropy (Cleavon Little).

It also gets topical for the day by having stand ins for Jim Baker and Heritage USA that serve to complicate the story. Televangelist Jimmy Lee Farnsworth (R. Lee Ermey) runs a theme park very similar to Baker’s now defunct attraction and is after Fletch’s inherited land to expand. Ermey did his usual schtick to hilarious perfection.

As mentioned the legendary Cleavon Little costars as a caretaker living on the estate that Fletch inherited. He certainly channels the skill that was demonstrated in Blazing Saddles (if not that character). Stevie Wonder could see Calculus knew more than he let on so it was no surprise when the reveal of him being an FBI agent came. What is bothersome is he let Fletch do all the work rather than maybe join forces. Our hero’s life was put in danger as he spied on the investigation. In even the worst 80s movies how does that make sense?

This is an actual whodunit. It lays out the clues. If you wish to solve the mystery before the reveal you need to pay attention to what’s going on. It may be a comedy (and a very funny one) but there’s also something to figure out. It pokes fun at classics with other humor not at the expense of characters but due to the scenario. This includes when Fletch engages in his expected series of disguises.

Fletch Lives is a good follow up to the original film. It’s quality 80s comedy and still funny. If you want a good laugh you cannot go wrong here.