Blame It on Rio (1984)

Blame It on Rio (1984)

Taglines: She’s the hottest thing on the beach. She’s also his best friend’s daughter!

Blame It on Rio movie storyline. Michael Caine plays Matthew Hollis; a man on holiday in Rio with his best friend Victor Lyons (Joseph Bologna). Both men have teenage daughters with them. When Caine falls for Victor’s daughter Jennifer (played by Michelle Johnson), they embark on a secret, if slightly one-sided relationship. Victor is furious when he finds out about the ‘older man’ in his daughter’s life, and sets out to hunt him down with the aid of Matthew!

Blame it on Rio is a 1984 American romantic comedy film directed by Stanley Donen and written by Charlie Peters and Larry Gelbart, based on the 1977 French film, Un moment d’égarement. Starring an ensemble cast led by Michael Caine, Joseph Bologna, Michelle Johnson, Valerie Harper, Demi Moore, and José Lewgoy, the film was nominated for a Razzie Award including Worst New Star for Johnson. This is the last theatrically released film directed by Donen, whose previous work included such notable pictures as Singin’ in the Rain, On the Town, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Charade.

Blame It on Rio (1984)

About the Story

Michael Caine is Matthew Hollis, married to Karen (Valerie Harper), and father to teenage daughter, Nikki (Demi Moore). Victor (Joseph Bologna), Matthew’s colleague and best friend, who is going through a divorce, is father to 17-year-old Jennifer (Michelle Johnson).

Matthew’s marriage is not going well for reasons not explained. Just before they are to leave 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.

Jennifer and Nikki share a room, where she says to Nikki, “Your father is so sweet… I used to have a crush on him,” to which Nikki replies, “Me, too.” At the beach, Victor and Matthew pass numerous women walking around topless. The fathers spot their daughters in the distance, and the girls turn around to reveal that they are topless, also.

<Blame It on Rio (1984)

After dropping the girls off at a wedding, the men visit a pub. After Victor pairs off with a local divorcée, Matthew winds up at the wedding, where he runs into Jennifer. They eventually share a passionate kiss, which Nikki witnesses. Matthew and Jennifer have sex on the beach. Matthew stresses it can never happen again. However, Jennifer begins coming onto Matthew in various, inappropriate situations. At one point she takes a naked Polaroid of herself and gives it to Matthew in public.

Jennifer tearfully confesses to her dad that she had an affair with an “older man.” Victor becomes furious and sets out to hunt down the mystery man, expecting Matthew to help. Matthew tries to talk Jennifer into ending their relationship, but she is determined to never give him up. Matthew ultimately discloses to his friend that it was he with whom Jennifer had the affair. Victor is not as angry as Matthew expects, because it is revealed that Victor had been having an affair with Karen.

Blame It on Rio Movie Poster (1984)

Blame It on Rio (1984)

Directed by: Stanley Donen
Starring: Michael Caine, Michelle Johnson, Demi Moore, Valerie Harper, Joseph Bologna, José Lewgoy, Ana Lucía Lima, Tessy Callado
Screenplay by: Charlie Peters, Larry Gelbart
Cinematography by: Reynaldo Villalobos
Film Editing by: George Hively, Richard Marden
Makeup Department: Dalee Henderson, Tony Lloyd
Art Direction by: Marcos Flaksman
Music by: Kenneth Wannberg
Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: February 17, 1984

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