Blame It On Rio is a comedy of manners, of embarrassment, and a mildly raunchy adult amusement. At least that's what the publicity says it is - I'm not so sure.
Michael Caine and Joseph Bologna are business partners who take their daughters - Demi Moore and Michelle Johnson - on holiday to Rio de Janeiro for reasons which don't really matter. While they are there, the precocious Johnson pursues and ultimately seduces Caine, and shenanigans ensue (the main one of which is Caine having to help Bologna pursue the un-named older man - ie. himself - who is having an inappropriate relationship with Bologna's daughter).
This is bright, breezy, comical stuff, with lots of nice scenery. Caine's performance (with lots of direct-to-camera speeches) is pleasingly desperate, and Johnson's body is pleasingly and frequently naked (and, it must be said, startlingly ripe).
I'm not 100% convinced about the subject matter, though.
Blame It on Rio
1984
Action / Comedy / Romance
Blame It on Rio
1984
Action / Comedy / Romance
Plot summary
Matthew is married to Karen, and father to teenaged daughter, Nikki. Victor, his colleague and best friend, who is going through a divorce, is father to 17-year-old Jennifer. Matthew's marriage is not going well as well. Just before they are to embark for a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Karen says she is going on vacation by herself to "think about everything." Matthew and Victor decide to go to Rio with their daughters. The magical atmosphere of Rio, as if saturated with eroticism and languid lusts, takes them by surprise. Victor hunts for every woman, and Matthew, faithful to his wife, modestly accompanies his daughter in her entertainment. But the exciting Brazilian rhythms and frank dances on the moonlit beach do their job. Unable to resist the relentless onslaught of the young seducer, Matthew enters into an intimate relationship with her. Victor is furious when he finds out about an "older man" in his daughter's life, and sets out to hunt him down with the aid of Matthew.
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Enjoyable
awkward premise
Matthew Hollis (Michael Caine) works in Sao Paulo with his best friend Victor Lyons (Joseph Bologna). They intend to go on a family vacation together but Matthew's wife Karen (Valerie Harper) surprises everyone by going to Bahia Club Med instead. She needs time to think about their struggling marriage. Victor is also going through a difficult divorce. The two dads bring along their teenage daughters Jennifer Lyons (Michelle Johnson) and Nikki Hollis (Demi Moore). Matthew is uncomfortable with the liberated sexuality. Jennifer starts flirting with Matthew and they have an affair. He tries to break up and she tells her father about her older married boyfriend. Victor ropes Matthew in to find the identity of this older man.
This is suppose to be a comedy but I find the subject matter saps much of the humor away. It's not just that she's that young but she's also a girl he's known since she was a baby. Also Michelle Johnson is quite young to do full nudity. Wiki claims that she got court permission to appear nude at the age of 17. It's a teenage boy's dream but it should be uncomfortable for everybody else. It's not a surprise that this is based on a French film. Michael Caine does salvage a few fun moments with his acting. It's a watchable comedy if one doesn't get offended.
Amusing and surprisingly innocuous sex farce
Hapless middle-aged nerd Matthew Hollis (an excellent and engaging performance by Michael Caine) and his amiable sleaze best friend Victor Lyons (robustly played by Joseph Bologna) go on vacation to Rio with their teenage daughters in tow. Trouble rears its head when Matthew gets seduced by Victor's sultry nubile daughter Jennifer (a disarmingly sweet portrayal by the luscious Michelle Johnson). Director Stanley Donen relates the delightfully risqué story at a brisk pace, makes the most out of the exotic location, and gives the movie an easy'n'breezy charm that prevents the potentially distasteful subject matter from ever becoming too crass or offensive. Moreover, this film serves as a pleasant time capsule of the carefree 1980's, a pre-politically correct era when people where a lot less uptight and not so touchy feely. The racy script by Larry Gilbert and Charlie Peters offers a sidesplitting wealth of sharp lines. Caine and Bologna display a strong and appealing chemistry in the leads; they receive sound support from Demi Moore as Matthew's bitter daughter Nicole, Valerie Harper as Matthew's snippy fed-up wife Karen, and Jose Lewjoy as suave neighbor Eduardo Marques. The vibrant cinematography by Reynaldo Villalobos provides plenty of striking shots of the sumptuous seaside scenery. The lively score by Kenneth Wannberg and the bouncy soundtrack further add to the infectiously frothy merriment. As a tasty extra plus, the delectable Mrs. Johnson bares her deliciously ripe body several times. A real hoot.