Fletch (film)
Fletch is a 1985 American comedy thriller film directed by Michael Ritchie and written by Andrew Bergman. Based on Gregory Mcdonald's popular Fletch novels, the film stars Chevy Chase as the eponymous character. It co-stars Tim Matheson, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson, Geena Davis and Joe Don Baker.
| Fletch | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Ritchie |
| Written by | Andrew Bergman |
| Based on | Fletch by Gregory Mcdonald |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Fred Schuler |
| Edited by | Richard A. Harris |
| Music by | Harold Faltermeyer |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date | May 31, 1985 |
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $8 million |
| Box office | $59 million |
The film revolves around Los Angeles Times reporter Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher, who is offered a large sum of money by a millionaire to kill him, claiming he has a terminal cancer prognosis and suicide would invalidate his life insurance policy. Fletch becomes suspicious when he discovers the man is not ill; when he continues to investigate, his life is threatened.
Fletch did well with critics and at the box office – it was among the top 50 grossing domestic films in its first year of release. It has since developed a cult following and was followed by a 1989 sequel, Fletch Lives. Subsequent decades saw many unsuccessful attempts to restart or reboot the series; another Fletch film, Confess, Fletch starring Jon Hamm, was finally produced in 2022.