Blame It On Rio (1984)

9% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
35% of users liked it
(6,520 ratings)

This attempt to remake the clever 1977 French farce Un Moment d'Egarement stars 50-film-a-year man Michael Caine as an executive named Matthew Hollis, who, together with friend Victor Lyons (Joseph Bologna), travels to Rio de Janeiro on business. Victor sets out on the town in search of a lambada… More This attempt to remake the clever 1977 French farce Un Moment d'Egarement stars 50-film-a-year man Michael Caine as an executive named Matthew Hollis, who, together with friend Victor Lyons (Joseph Bologna), travels to Rio de Janeiro on business. Victor sets out on the town in search of a lambada partner, leaving Matthew to fend for himself against his friend's over-sexed teenage daughter (Michelle Johnson), who's come along for the ride. Soon, Matthew succumbs to her advances, despite his efforts to break off the affair, and finds himself a repeated statutory rapist, at least by American legal standards. The script plays out like an extended version of Three's Company, with lots of near-misses and dumb-dumb humor; critics aptly noticed Caine's apparent discomfort throughout the film. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Stanley Donen
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 17, 1984 Wide
On DVD: May 22, 2001
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Offputting, even at times nasty.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This movie is clearly intended to appeal to the prurient interests of dirty old men of all ages.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Blame It on Rio is not simply humorless. It also spreads gloom.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Caine looks embarrassed through the entire film, as well he might.
, Time Out
A thin, cynical calculation.
Daniel Eagan, Film Journal International
Leering, witless sex comedy
Clint Morris, Moviehole
More sizzle than onion rings
, Film4
The script is too self-consciously coy to carry conviction and appears to have been commandeered from a small screen sit com.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
I'd rather blame it on the screenplay.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

I can't believe I missed this little 80's gem until now! Okay, the story is a little questionable - middle aged man gets with best friend's teenage daughter, and as for the topless running around on the beach - well! I can't imagine many fathers allowing that to… More
I can't believe I missed this little 80's gem until now! Okay, the story is a little questionable - middle aged man gets with best friend's teenage daughter, and as for the topless running around on the beach - well! I can't imagine many fathers allowing that to happen! But in spite of this, and a young Demi Moore (heinous as usual, thank goodness her role in this is pretty minor), this is still an enjoyable and fun 80's movie. Michelle Johnson is great in this, wonder what ever happened to her, welll, she totally overacts, but it fits in so well with the whole over the top story. Good trashy fun.
Red L

Michael Caine plays a reluctant lover to the daughter of his best friend on a vacation in Rio. His acting is pretty good, but the movie gets worse as it ages.
Dean M

The shaky affair is held together by another outstanding performance by Michael Caine as the conscience-stricken, reluctant lover.
RJ M

In the 80's Michael Caine was the busiest man in Hollywood. The man never stopped working, and appeared in so many movies, it was impossible not to miss some. A perfect example is this overlooked gem from 1984. Caine plays a middle aged man in a failing marriage that goes on a… More
In the 80's Michael Caine was the busiest man in Hollywood. The man never stopped working, and appeared in so many movies, it was impossible not to miss some. A perfect example is this overlooked gem from 1984. Caine plays a middle aged man in a failing marriage that goes on a vacation to Rio with his daughter, his best friend, and his best friends daughter. He goes middle aged crazy and has an affair with his friends daughter, and then almost goes crazy for real when his friend discovers she has slept with someone, and makes it his mission to find out who. Caine is perfect in the role, sympathetic and hilarious in the sly way only an Englishman can be. Joseph Bologna steals every scene he's in as his suffering best friend, and walks away with the best lines in the movie. There's also an appearance by a young Demi Moore, and anyone who wants to confirm for themselves whether or not she had plastic surgery can see here for themselves. She does appear topless, and uses her long hair to cover up what little she has up there. Speaking of topless, the movie also introduces us the UBER-HOT Michelle Johnson, who plays the object of Caine's affections. A natural beauty with the second best breasts of the 80's, following only Phoebe Cates. The girl has plentiful natural curves that are on full display several times in the movie. So you have an Academy Award winning actor at the top of his comedic game, a mesmerzing young leading lady, a sexy, touching, and comedic love affair, all set against the gorgeous backdrops of Rio de Jinerio. A real lost gem from the 80's.