When investigative reporter Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher goes undercover to write a piece on the drug trade at a local beach, he's approached by wealthy businessman Alan Stanwyk, who offers him $50,000 to murder him. With sarcastic wit and a knack for disguises, Fletch sets out to uncover Stanwyk's story.
This could be Bob Hope material c1942 and Chase does acquit himself well (though with cool reserve) in the gags-to-plot transitions. What dulls the enterprise is that Ritchie so keeps his distance from every character.
– ,
Time Out,
26 Jan 2006
fresh:
A lightweight, breezy experience that, by never pretending to be anything more than what it is, disarms criticism.
– Vincent Canby,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
rotten:
Whenever the move threatens to work, there's Chevy Chase with his monotone, deadpan cynicism, distancing himself from the material.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
23 Oct 2004
fresh:
Michael Ritchie's 1985 mystery comedy has the pleasant, modest feel of a Fox B picture from the 30s.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
8 Dec 2007
fresh:
A breezy, peppy frolic and a tour de force for Chase.