By: Kimberly Grant
Reboots can be hit or miss. Sometimes, a reboot reinvigorates a film franchise, because the technology exists to make it better. While other times, a reboot just seems to be a cheap cash grab that doesn’t sit well with audiences.
The latest reboot to hit theaters is Confess, Fletch.
Story Confession
Now, Confess is on a limited run in movie theaters, since it’s not a big budget movie. Telling you the plot may help you understand what I mean. In the reboot of the beloved Chevy Chase films, Jon Hamm takes on the role of Irwin Maurice Fletcher (“I. M. Fletch”). Fletch is a former investigative reporter who is spending his retirement writing books about art collectors. He spends his days going to places like Italy to research his upcoming book on Edgar Arthur Tharp, Jr. and enjoys his white privilege; as it is implied in the film.
Directed by Greg Mottola (who also wrote the script with Zev Borow, based on the novel Gregory McDonald), Confess is a fun and campy reboot of the previous Fletch films, which were popular in the 1980s. Here’s an odd fact: Chase does not make an appearance in Confess. While in Boston investigating the theft of some very expensive Italian art on behalf of his girlfriend, Angela de Grassi (Lorenza Izzo), Fletch is framed for murder. With the police watching Fletch as a person of interest, he must be savvy in solving two crimes in one movie.
Privileged Confession
I must confess, I did not see the 1980s films starring Chevy Chase. At the time I was only a child and I’ve only enjoyed Chase as Clark W. Griswold. Nevertheless, I watched Confess as a standalone film to give it an unbiased opinion. The film is not awful, but it’s not super good either. There’s a reason why the film is getting a limited run in theaters. It’s not that great.
It also shines a light on white privilege in today’s society. If Fletch had been a black man accused of murdering a white woman, he probably wouldn’t have been allowed to roam the streets of Boston while the police conducted their investigation. The film does mention certain racial tensions when it comes to police brutality and the white wealthy. The racial tensions are subversive, though, so they don’t overshadow the movie. However, it must be said that Fletch, the reboot, shows how far we still need to journey in how we treat non-white races.
Cast Confession
There are quite a few big-name actors in this ensemble cast about a white man who enjoys the privilege of walking around public places barefoot. Hamm as Fletch is just relatable enough that you aren’t annoyed with his privilege. Roy Wood, Jr. as Inspector Morris Monroe does a great job playing a non-comedic character. Although, I prefer him as a comedian.
Inspector Monroe’s detective trainee Griz (Ayden Mayeri) represents the Latin element of the film. Wood’s character is more fleshed out, which is a disservice to Mayeri. The audience doesn’t get enough background on her to really bring her character to life other than a clumsy detective who’s good at putting together clues. Maybe that was the point of Griz; to show how intelligence and talent in Latin women is overlooked.
Moving on. Other actors of note in Confess are Marcia Gay Harden as Countess de Grassi. Her Italian accent is horrendous, but her performance brings some comedy to the film. Kyle MacLachlan brings his own brand of creepy to Horan, who is a germophobe art dealer. Lastly, Hamm reunites with his Mad Men co-star John Slattery. Slattery plays Fletch’s beleaguered former editor who loves to hate Fletch.
Indifferent Confession
As far as reboots go, Confess, Fletch is a decent movie if you can get beyond the stench of the privileged. Basically, Confess is not terrible, but it’s not awesome either. If I had to truly confess to my take on this film, I’d say it was “Meh”.
Feeling blah about this review? You can read my review of a great film here.
Just because I felt blah about Confess doesn’t mean you feel the same way about this review. Sharing is entertainment. See below.
