Movie Review: Blame It On Rio (1984)

★★★★★

A visually stunning, sun-drenched comedy with charming performances, Blame It on Rio captures the chaos of desire and midlife crisis.

Lori Y.

Maine

There are movies from the 80s that age like fine wine... and then there are movies that age more like milk on a sunny day in Rio. Blame It on Rio (1984) falls somewhere in between. It’s gorgeous to look at, features some charming performances (especially from Michael Caine), and serves up that beachy, escapist fantasy so many vacation comedies from the decade thrive on. But let’s be real, this one is complicated. Really complicated.

I recently rewatched the Blame It on Rio movie for a retro spotlight at Box Review, expecting light-hearted chaos. What I got was a surprisingly strange mix of charm, discomfort, and moral murkiness that’s hard to pin down. It’s not quite romantic, not quite comedic, and definitely not what you'd expect from a sunny studio rom-com.

The Plot (Aka, Oh Boy, This Gets Messy)

The setup sounds like classic 80s escapism: two middle-aged friends, Matthew (Michael Caine) and Victor (Joseph Bologna), take a vacation to Rio de Janeiro with their teenage daughters after their marriages hit rocky patches. Sounds harmless, right?

Well... not quite. Things take a sharp left turn when Matthew ends up having an affair with Victor’s daughter, Jennifer (played by Michelle Johnson, just 17 at the time of filming). As if that weren’t enough, the whole thing becomes a tangled web of secrecy, guilt, and misguided attempts at romance all under the sun-soaked, dreamlike haze of Rio.

What Most Reviews Avoid: The Elephant in the Room

Let’s get it out of the way, yes, the film’s central plot is deeply uncomfortable by today’s standards. Even in the 80s, Blame It on Rio raised eyebrows, and for good reason. The age gap between the characters, the teacher-student-like power dynamic, and the way the affair is treated as a comedic plot point rather than something more serious is... well, a tough sell now.

And honestly, it’s impossible to fully enjoy the movie without confronting that fact. While some sites gloss over the ethical implications, we at Box Review think it’s worth acknowledging: the premise hasn’t aged well, and modern audiences may find it hard to laugh along with a story that leans so hard into taboo.

That said, Blame It on Rio isn't trying to be exploitative; it’s trying (somewhat clumsily) to explore themes of midlife crisis, lust, and emotional confusion. The tone is never sinister, just misguided.

Michael Caine Tries to Save It (And Sometimes Does)

If there’s one reason to watch this film, it’s Michael Caine. Matthew delivers a performance that is surprisingly grounded for such an offbeat role. He’s clearly playing a man lost in a personal crisis, lonely, bewildered, and way in over his head. His facial expressions alone during some of the more ridiculous moments are worth the price of admission.

What makes Caine work here is that he never tries to make Matthew seem cool or justified. Instead, he leans into the absurdity and discomfort. You get the sense that even Matthew is wondering, “How did I get here?”

Caine’s comedic timing and dry wit carry a lot of the film, especially during scenes with Victor (Bologna), whose over-the-top emotional reactions provide contrast to Caine’s subtle panic.

The Real Star? Rio de Janeiro

Let’s not ignore what Blame It on Rio does exceptionally well: showcase Rio as an absolute paradise. The cinematography is stunning, bathing every frame in golden light and vibrant color. Beaches, mountain views, and lively streets fill the screen, making you want to book a ticket even if the plot makes you cringe.

There’s a dreamlike quality to the way the city is filmed, almost as if it’s a character itself. In fact, it often feels like the film wants to be a travel commercial as much as a comedy. And honestly, it works. Despite the uncomfortable narrative, the visual backdrop keeps you watching.

A Quiet Satire? Or Just Tone-Deaf?

One thing I noticed on rewatch, something I didn’t pick up as a younger viewer, is how Blame It on Rio subtly (and perhaps unintentionally) pokes fun at its own characters. The adults are mostly foolish, self-absorbed, and adrift. The kids, though not exactly models of wisdom, come across as more emotionally aware than their parents.

Is the film secretly satirizing the cluelessness of middle-aged men chasing youth? Maybe. Or maybe it’s just playing it safe with tone, trying to balance absurdity with sentiment and not quite landing either. But if you squint, there’s something resembling commentary beneath the surface.

What’s Aged Poorly (Besides the Obvious)

Beyond the uncomfortable plot, some of the dialogue feels painfully dated. The female characters are thinly written, often existing to reflect the male characters’ anxieties or desires. There’s also a bit of a disjointed tone, sometimes leaning into farce, other times attempting heartfelt drama. The result is a movie that feels unsure of what it wants to be.

But for all that, there’s a sincerity in the performances, especially from Caine, that keeps it from veering into complete disaster.

Final Thoughts

Blame It on Rio (1984) is a strange, sun-drenched oddity. It’s beautifully shot, decently acted, and genuinely funny in places, but it’s also wrapped around a core premise that hasn’t aged well. If you’re willing to view it as a product of its time, there’s something to be mined here: a story about flawed people making foolish choices, set against one of the most visually stunning backdrops in 80s cinema.

At Box Review, we believe in revisiting films honestly, acknowledging the discomforts, appreciating the craft, and discussing what they meant then versus now. Blame It on Rio may not be a great film, but it’s a fascinating one, and sometimes that’s even better.