On this day, February 17, 1984, Blame It on Rio premiered in theaters. Directed by Stanley Donen, the romantic comedy starred Michael Caine, Joseph Bologna, Valerie Harper, Michelle Johnson, and Demi Moore in one of her earliest film roles.
The film followed best friends Matthew (Caine) and Victor (Bologna) as they take a vacation in Rio de Janeiro with their teenage daughters. When Matthew unexpectedly has an affair with Victor’s daughter Jennifer (Johnson), chaos ensues, leading to comedic misunderstandings and moral dilemmas. With its tropical setting and lighthearted tone, Blame It on Rio aimed to be a steamy yet humorous take on midlife crises and romance.
While the film performed modestly at the box office, earning $18.6 million, it was met with mixed reviews, particularly for its controversial subject matter. However, it remains a curious entry in 80s romantic comedies and a notable film in Michael Caine’s long and varied career.
Fun fact: Blame It on Rio was a remake of the 1977 French film Un moment d’égarement (A Moment of Misguidance), which was later remade again in 2015 under the same title.
Trivia question: What 1988 comedy starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin involved con artists scamming wealthy women on the French Riviera?
The film followed best friends Matthew (Caine) and Victor (Bologna) as they take a vacation in Rio de Janeiro with their teenage daughters. When Matthew unexpectedly has an affair with Victor’s daughter Jennifer (Johnson), chaos ensues, leading to comedic misunderstandings and moral dilemmas. With its tropical setting and lighthearted tone, Blame It on Rio aimed to be a steamy yet humorous take on midlife crises and romance.
While the film performed modestly at the box office, earning $18.6 million, it was met with mixed reviews, particularly for its controversial subject matter. However, it remains a curious entry in 80s romantic comedies and a notable film in Michael Caine’s long and varied career.
Fun fact: Blame It on Rio was a remake of the 1977 French film Un moment d’égarement (A Moment of Misguidance), which was later remade again in 2015 under the same title.
Trivia question: What 1988 comedy starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin involved con artists scamming wealthy women on the French Riviera?
