Blame It on Rio *** (1984, Michael Caine, Joseph Bologna, Valerie Harper, Michelle Johnson, Demi Moore) – Classic Movie Review 5909

Michael Caine is on commanding form as Matthew Hollis, a mixed-up middle-aged married man who starts a holiday romance in Rio with Jennifer (Michelle Johnson), the seductive teenage daughter of his libidinous best buddy Victor Lyons (Joseph Bologna). 

Demi Moore plays Caine’s teenage daughter, Nicole Hollis, also on holiday with the men, and Valerie Harper plays Caine’s wife, Mrs Karen Hollis.

Director Stanley Donen’s breezily played, brightly written, near-to-the-knuckle 1984 fantasy sex comedy is securely based on Charlie Peters and Larry Gelbart’s funny, poignant and often witty script taken from Claude Berri’s 1977 French film Un Moment d’Egarement (One Wild Moment).

This undervalued movie was undeservedly derided in hostile reviews for its teenage sexuality and nudity.

Bologna’s aunt Pauline was one of the best-known chefs to the stars. When she chastised him for starring in the nudity-containing Blame it on Rio, he replied: ‘Blame it on me. It’s the last time I invite Aunt Pauline to a film premiere.’

Joseph Bologna (30 December 1934 – 13 August 2017).

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5909

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com