A little Hammy...in a good way: I confess I like Jon, as Fletch
'Mad Men' star Jon Hamm is pretty wry, showing promise as film comedian
HARK!
I hear…a revival…
Remember that goofy mystery/comedy–heavy on the latter–Chevy Chase flick from 1985, Fletch?
Jon Hamm sure does.
Best known as the sexy, insouciant Don Draper from the advertising soap Mad Men, Hamm dives head on into the role of kooky investigative reporter I.M. Fletch with Confess, Fletch, released in theaters Sept. 16 and streaming now.
While he made it big on the small screen, in movies Hamm has had supporting roles in the likes of Bridesmaids and Top Gun: Maverick.
Can he carry a movie?
Yep.
Hamm is casually funny in delivering one liners and doing some light physical comedy–though he is no match for Chase’s slapstick.
As in Fletch, the new Confess, Fletch is at its best when the star is taking on assumed roles to try to pump shadowy characters for information. Hamm’s facial expressions are hilarious, as he grills a flirty pothead and an excessive interior designer.
These scenes call to mind a few favorite scenes and lines from the original:
(Fletch, while interviewing an older couple): “You and your wife are currently living?”
(Fletch, to a woman who just came out of the shower): “Can I borrow that towel? My car just hit a water buffalo.”
Fletch, the original
And, like the original, this incarnation of Fletch gets overly complicated in its murder plot. Does anyone really care who killed who and why?
Stand-up comic Roy Wood Jr. gives a great supporting performance as a detective, with Ayden Mayeri doing nice work (to a point) as his sidekick.
The rest of the cast, including white-haired Kyle MacLachlan, a long way from his Twin Peaks FBI agent in a villainous role and Marcia Gay Harden puffing a ridiculous accent…eh.
This flick is at its best when the star has center stage.
And, yeah, he’s a little Hammy…in a good way.