Back from the cinematic dead, surely this should have been called Fletch Lives?

Rebooting a character so synonymous with a particular actor is always a gamble, and in the case of Confess, Fletch, it’s one that pays off in an unexpected way. Rather than trying to replicate Chevy Chase’s rapid-fire wisecracking, Jon Hamm sidesteps the comparison entirely, leaning into his own brand of deadpan charm and easygoing wit. It’s a different take on Fletch – one that dials back the cartoonish antics in favour of a more relaxed, old-school caper – but it turns out to be a refreshing and surprisingly effective choice.

Adapting Gregory Mcdonald’s Confess, Fletch (the second book in the series), the film finds Hamm’s Irwin M. Fletcher wrapped up in an art theft and a murder investigation that, naturally, sees him as the prime suspect. The script keeps things breezy, and Hamm makes for an effortlessly engaging lead, delivering a performance that feels more in line with the likes of Cary Grant or Elliott Gould than Chase’s motor-mouthed antics. He’s wry rather than wacky, and the humour is more situational than slapstick, relying on Hamm’s impeccable timing and a gift for subtle absurdity that, thanks to Mad Men, has been hiding in plain sight for years.

The supporting cast helps buoy the film’s laid-back energy. Roy Wood Jr. shines as the beleaguered detective saddled with Fletch’s case, giving their dynamic a classic cop-and-nuisance rapport. Marcia Gay Harden, Kyle MacLachlan, and Annie Mumolo all get their moments to shine, while Lorenza Izzo adds a touch of intrigue as Fletch’s possible femme fatale. Director Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) keeps things moving with an unshowy but confident hand, allowing the script’s cleverness to do the heavy lifting.

For those expecting the chaos of Chase’s take on the character, Confess, Fletch might feel too dialled-down. But for those willing to embrace a more classical approach, Hamm proves to be a deft comic hand, turning in a performance that feels more like an evolution than a replacement. If anything, it’s a reminder that Fletch doesn’t need to be just one thing. Maybe, just maybe, there could’ve been room for a little more Fletchery in the future if only the Covid Pandemic hadn’t buried this promising resurrection.