Blame It on Rio – Digitally Remastered BLAME IT ON RIO (Stanley Donen, 1984) tells the story of best friends (Oscar Award Winner Michael Caine and Joseph Bologna) who fall for each other's daughter while on holiday in Rio.
L**E
Time Capsule Comedy
This is definitely a "time capsule" romantic comedy. This was filmed in the early 80s so there's very little plastic surgery so the bodies actually look "real". I honestly didn't see a single fake pair of breasts in the entire movie. There's a scene where Isabella (a minor character) confesses that Victor (played by Joseph Bologna, the darker-haired fellow on the cover) is the 12th man she's been with in the 12 days she's been separated from her husband and Victor is completely blase about it. Yes, this is before people knew about AIDS.The comedy revolves around Victor searching for the older gentleman that slept with his daughter so he can pummel him or worse. He drags Matthew (played by Michael Caine) around to assist in his manhunt even though Matthew is the guilty party. Hijinks ensue and everything builds to a crescendo before all is revealed. Michael Caine is pretty much himself in this movie and Joseph Bologna makes a great comic foil. Demi Moore, who plays Nicole, is surprisingly supportive of her friend's trysts with her father, but doesn't factor into the story much. Michelle Johnson is good at conveying tenderness and warmth, but was a bit unpolished as an actress otherwise. I believe she was genuinely 18 at the time this was filmed so I give her a pass.It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but it is charming. Although there's plenty of nudity, I don't think there's any serious profanity (unless you count "hell" as vulgar), only minor violence (people getting punched, roughhousing, and a small cut shaving but no serious injury) and there's no actual sex depicted onscreen. If it wasn't for the scenes at the topless beach and the polaroid Jennifer takes of herself, this would be PG-13.
G**G
Lots of breasts, not much story
The advertisement for this film is very deceptive in listing Demi Moore first, as she has a small supporting role. The female lead is Michelle Johnson, who appears in just about every important scene, often bereft of clothing. Some critics at the time called the film soft-porn, which it surely is, and expressed shock at Johnson's age, which was 17-18. Some compared the Michael Caine character to Humbert Humbert in Lolita, and there is truth to that too. I also note that the bare-breasted women on the Rio beaches is fantasy; I have lived in Rio, and while the women wear very brief bikinis (called fio dental, dental floss, in Portuguese), if you see a topless woman on the beach she is almost surely a visiting European. All that aside, the main problem with the film is that there is not nearly enough material to justify over an hour and a half of screen time; at an hour, it would be a much better movie. Everybody is attractive, though, and much of the scenery is gorgeous, though very little is filmed on the two great beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema (I lived in a flat where the two beaches meet over the fort at Arpoador).
J**M
Not for conservatives
The scenery was great, Rio was fun to see, the house they rented, the movie would have been worth it just to see that place. wow. Good actors and seemed like a true story, even if it wasn't, it surely could have been.It was fun to be back in the 80's ... life was so different then. But this was also part of it, as I remember, the milieu of free to be yourself but face the consequences and re-think the whole thing due to that. This film was uncomfortable in some ways at some points but turned out well.
T**O
Review without Spoiler - Pros & Cons
Overall I think this romantic comedy is a lot of fun. Here are the pros & cons as I see it.Pros:1. Michael Caine & Michelle Johnson are both fantastic in this film.2. Overall a fun a light-hearthed romantic comedy3. Nice cinematographyCons:1. If you are easily offended by relationships with a large age discrepancy, this film may not be for you.
J**S
pretty good
I saw this movie when it first came on one of the cable channels. I was never a big fan of Michael Caine. And though he has never really been a big star I do like Joseph Bologna who has played everything from gangsters to being on Married With Children. Demi Moore plays Michael Caines daughter. And the only character with any sense. And Michelle Johnson plays Joseph Bologna's daughter. And looks hot in every scene she is in. Whether she is dressed up to go out or making breakfast or taking a nude selfie. I thought she would have become a bigger star. She has an affair with Michael Caine and wants to tell the whole world about how much she loves him and of course he wants to keep it secret. Valarie Harper plays Michael Caine's wife and to complicate things more she as well as Bologna have some secrets of their own. This movie has scenery and beautiful girls. Some memorable lines. It's the kind of movie that can be watched over and still be just as good.
S**N
certainly among the very best
This is staunch fodder for comedy/drama film lover such as myself. Arguable the best actor of all-time Michael Caine, in peak form, delivering a knock-down performance bolstered by amazing, amazing writing and directing. The portrayal of the city Rio is right on tap, and it shines through to this day, the place has not changed much since the 1980s. Michelle Johnson's best and most memorable performance. Thank god she decided to do this movie. Thank god. The memorable movie has also one of the best "twist" movies in recent memory, comparable in that regard to "Jade" with David Caruso and Linda Fiorentino.
R**B
An All-Time Classic
I'm shocked when I see this movie included in lists of all-time bad movies. Very much to the contrary I have long thought that this movie is an underappreciated classic. Firstly, the movie takes place in Rio de Janeiro, one of the most beautiful places on earth and this movie sparked a fascination of that place for me when I saw it for the first time long ago. Secondly, not only does the story take place amongst the incredible scenic beauty of Rio, but it's also a classic farce from a time before political correctness took the edge off of the cinematic arts in the United States. In my opinion this is a must see.
S**S
Blame It On Nostalgia, But I Love It
Many years ago illness prevented me from seeing this film at the cinema.Finally a few years later I obtained the video. 'Blame It On Rio' has beena guilty pleasure ever since.The story concerns two friends, onerecently devorced from his wife, the other separated. They head to Rio onholiday taking their nubile and far from innocent daughters along withthem.Michael Caine stars as the bewildered Matthew, apart from his wife,struggling with his emotions and trying to fight off the attentions of hisfriends teenage daughter.Michelle Johnston who played this charactershould have gone on to be a big star. She's sexy and funny in her pursuitof Matthew, not only an older man but her best friends Father.Instead it was Demi Moore, who played Michael Caine's daughter, who wentonto to be an international star.The film develops into a farce as Joseph Bologna, who plays the jealousfather and Caine's friend, asks him to investigate who's seeing hisdaughter. He therefore has to investigate himself.The film is no'Singin' In The Rain' (made by the same Director Stanley Donen) but it isan enjoyable comedy typical of its type in the eighties.There's some nudity, some beautiful locations and some actors who probablydon't put this film on their CV anymore. All this aside its anentertaining romp in rio.Its a shame there's no commentary from Caine (Has he ever done one?),Moore or Johnston. It would also have been nice to have seen whateverhappened to Johnston and whether or not she regrets making the filmconsidering the negative impact it had on her career at the time.Afun, frisky film. No great extras but at a good price. Bring a little ofthat Rio sunshine into your life.
M**0
Hmm
Without Michael Caine, this would be a 1 star review
C**H
Cheesy, funny farce - ignore snotty and cynical critics
I have long been a fan of this film ever since I saw it on television as a kid in the late 80's and I'm unashamed to say it has remained one of my favourites ever since. I'm tempted to say it is a guilty pleasure but that would assume it is something I want to hide which I don't. I've always been a little suprised it doesn't have a wider following and that it has received such harsh criticism.First of all lets deal with the criticism. This is no masterpiece, nor was it ever intended to be. This was never going to trouble the Academy board or the Cannes Jury. Much has been made of the sexual politics in the movie arguing that it is sexist and exploitative. To these critics I would suggest that they take themselves and the film less seriously, or at least as seriously as the film clearly takes itself. This film is not biting social commentary. It is a gentle play on the male mid-life crisis and at its heart is very sweet. Yes, there are a few naked breast shots here and there but I can think of hundreds of other movies made before and since that have more questionable examples of female exploitation. The criticism also misses the fact that the characters argue the ethics of these issues themselves and nobody comes out of the film looking good on this levelHowever I think to linger on these issues for too long would only add to the pointlessness of raising them in the first place. This is a light and fluffy concoction, played with real charm by all the cast members. Michael Caine in particular shows what a fantastic light comedian he is and gives the kind of peformance that would eventually win him the Oscar for Hannah and her SistersThe film is effectively an extended quality episode of a popular sicom, but so what, its still fun and there are some genuinely funny lines from the veteran writers and at times a level farce which you rarely see anymore in comedy - both on the small and big screen. If anything, time has added to its charm with the setting and 80's soundtrack filling it with an irresistable nostalgia.In short, its a silly, warm little gem and a great way to cheer yourself up over 90 minutes. Ignore the snotty brigade, most of which are probably just following the herd and trying to display their cinematic literary credentials. Dive in, enjoy the nostalgia and have a fun time, and join me in ressurecting this overlooked little piece of 80's cinema. Oh and one final warning - you may be tempted to book a holiday to Rio( or somewhere equally sunny) immediately after you've finished watching!!
L**D
Risque
Regardless of the subject matter being slightly risque, this DVD turned out to be delightful, amusing and beautifully acted by an impressive ensemble cast.Michael Caine demonstrates all of his acting skills aided by a very necessary lightness of touch which ensured that it did not end up as a farce.Michelle Johnson is a stunning young actress. Where has she gone since this impressive debut?
C**S
A Memorable Holiday
Blame It On Rio is a funfilled romantic comedy filled with lots of misunderstandings, wit and british humour. I really enjoyed Michael Cain's performance, he was to the seventies and eighties what Hugh Grant is today. The screen is filled with lots of holiday scenery, beautiful beaches, beautiful girls and the back drop of Rio De Janeiro is simply stunning. One really feels that you are on holdiday with the characters as you are transported to a world of relaxation and the promise of holiday romance. I would recommend this movie to anybody who wants to escape from the stress of life and just, sit back, relax and enjoy a good laugh.
P**G
Another Caine classic
What a good film, loved this for years and now it's on Blu-Ray and it is better than ever, glad it has come out on Blu-Ray it is a wonderful film.
J**.
Michael Cane at his funniest best.
Loved this Film when I first saw it many Years ago, and still find it brilliant t watch now. The plot in itself is something to smile about, and up until DRS's with Steve Martin, for me this was Michael Cane at His funniest best.John Green.
S**D
Four Stars
Its OK
A**R
Five Stars
It is a great film I enjoyed it
M**Y
entertaining from start to end and nice to see all the lovely sunshine and beaches of ...
Hilarious,entertaining from start to end and nice to see all the lovely sunshine and beaches of Rio,great laugh
A**N
Five Stars
classic film
P**E
Five Stars
Fab film
P**Y
Five Stars
excellent
P**K
Crystal clear
Absolutely fantastic picture and sound quality looks like it was made today only has a trailer on it that doesn't really matter
W**R
Five Stars
Good movie, good price, and in good condition.
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