How a 1985 comedy thriller became the definitive vehicle for Chevy Chase's smug silliness
In short: Based on Gregory Mcdonald's novels, Fletch follows an undercover reporter who stumbles into a murder plot while investigating drug trafficking. Despite a difficult development process and initial skepticism from the author, the film became a box office success and a cult classic, cementing Chase's reputation for quick-witted, detached improvisation.
The journey of Fletch to the big screen was notoriously arduous. After author Gregory Mcdonald's 1974 novel was optioned, the project languished for years as studios including Columbia, Paramount, and Universal repeatedly passed on the script. Producer Jonathan Burrows eventually succeeded by enlisting the help of Michael Douglas and his half-brother Peter Douglas, who co-produced the film through Vincent Pictures. Even then, the casting process was fraught; Mcdonald held veto power and rejected stars like Burt Reynolds and Mick Jagger before finally approving Chevy Chase, despite having never seen him perform.
Director Michael Ritchie played a pivotal role in shaping the film's unique tone. Recognizing Chase's talent for improvisation, Ritchie structured production to allow for both scripted takes and spontaneous ad-libbing. This collaborative approach, which Chase later described as allowing him to essentially direct the comedy himself, resulted in the character's signature cheekiness. The film's aesthetic was further defined by its 1980s-era detachment, with critics like Dave Kehr noting that the partnership between Chase and Ritchie perfectly captured the decade's cool contempt for authority.
Upon its May 31, 1985, release, the film earned $50.6 million in North America and performed well on home video. While Mcdonald was initially angered by the film's deviations from his text, he later reconciled with the production, eventually praising the work of Chase and Ritchie. The film's legacy persists through its influence on later media, including a direct parody in the 2005 animated feature Hoodwinked!, and its 2008 recognition by the Los Angeles Times as one of the best films set in Los Angeles. For Chase, the role remained his favorite and most successful, representing a rare moment where he felt he could truly be himself on screen.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Fletch (film)
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