A One Mann’s Movies review of “Confess, Fletch” (2022).
I saw “Confess Fletch” on my return flight from Australia. But then discovered that it’s just been released this week in the UK. Result!
It’s only 104 minutes, but it feels so much longer. It’s a knockabout comedy thriller that they used to make a lot of in the 70’s and 80’s. In fact, I remember the original “Fletch” being Chevy Chase in the movie from 1985. In that movie, Fletch was a wisecracking master of disguise. Here Jon Hamm just does the wisecracking.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Count Clementi Arbogastes De Grassi (Robert Picardo) has been kidnapped and a priceless set of his art masterpieces has also been stolen. His daughter Angela (Lorenza Izzo) calls on former investigative journalist Fletch (Jon Hamm) to help get to the bottom of it. But, when following up a lead in Boston, Fletch finds a dead girl in his apartment. For the investigative team of Inspector “Slo-Mo” Monroe (Roy Wood Jr.) and detective Gris (Ayden Mayeri) all the clues point to Fletch as the murderer.
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Jon Hamm, Lorenza Izzo, Roy Wood Jr., Ayden Mayeri, Kyle MacLachlan, Annie Mumolo.
Directed by: Greg Mottola.
Written by: Greg Mottola & Zev Borow. From the novel by Gregory McDonald.
Twitter Handle: #ConfessFletch.
“Confess, Fletch” Review:
Positives:
- Some of Hamm’s wisecracks as Fletch are funny. And the interactions with the two police officers on the case – Monroe and Gris – are also entertaining. Ayden Mayeri is particularly well-cast and good fun as the keen young officer. It was funny seeing how frustrated (and also a tad impressed) she was seeing Fletch keep finding inventive new ways of throwing her off his trail!
Negatives
- The convoluted plot, involving kidnap and missing paintings, throws in a host of over-the-top characters and situations that managed to annoy rather than entertain me. A scene in a crowded kitchen is particularly heinous, with a boyfriend of the murdered girl suddenly thrown into the mix at random for no clear reason whatsoever! And some of the action – particularly in a yacht-based finale – is eye-rollingly lame.
- Chief among the annoying characters are the two wailing Italian women – Angela de Grassi (Lorenza Izzo) and her mother ‘The Countess’ (Annie Mumolo) who have studied hard at the “House of Gucci” acting academy!
- I said that some of Fletch’s quips were funny. But many others I found just plain annoying. He’s like the Chandler Bing-style American you meet at a party who thinks he’s REALLY funny. And wherever you go, you keep running into him again.
- Hamm is generally well-cast as Fletch but the 51-year old is painted as some sort of sex-god-babe-magnet. He only has to meet the very shapely Italian (actualy Chilean) Izzo (F, 33) to strike it lucky. “Whaaat du peeople call you?” she purrs. He replies “They call me..” before we jump-cut to her screaming “Fflleeetch!” in ecstacy while naked in bed and riding him cowgirl-style! Oh, please!! This rings of Hamm’s mid-life ego – as co-producer/lead actor – being brought to bear in the writer’s room.
Summary Thoughts on “Confess, Fletch”:
Fletch’s catchphrase to Uber drivers is “5 stars”. He even uses it as a voiceover “monkey” at the end of the end titles. Nice try to influence the critics! But, no. It passes the time, but it’s far from a 5-star classic for me.
Trailer for “Confess, Fletch”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pb2Pu5EjC1s .
