Today’s quick review: Blame It on Rio. On a vacation to Rio de Janeiro, Matthew Hollis (Michael Caine) lands in hot water when he sleeps with Jennifer Lyons (Michelle Johnson), the daughter of his best friend Victor (Joseph Bologna). As Jennifer tries to continue their affair, Matthew looks for a way to let her down gently. Meanwhile, Matthew’s daughter Nicole (Demi Moore) reluctantly helps him keep the incident a secret from Victor.
Blame It on Rio is a romantic comedy about a fling between a teenage girl and a much older man. Michael Caine stars as Matthew Hollis, a reserved man whose one mistake jeopardizes his relationships with his daughter, his best friend, and his wife Karen (Valerie Harper). The movie has wry dialogue and a playful tone, making it a passable comedy. However, its racy subject matter and dubious character work keep it from getting very far.
Blame It on Rio’s main sticking point is its premise. The age gap between Matthew and Jennifer is inescapable, fueling both the plot and much of the comedy. To its credit, Blame It on Rio manages to keep the tone light while still showing the fallout of Matthew’s actions. But for many viewers, the setup will be distasteful at best. The movie also does a mixed job with its resoluiton, suggesting character development that never quite happens.
For those willing to look past its salacious content, Blame It on Rio is a decent pick. It has a knack for sneaking jokes into its dialogue, and Matthew’s attempts to manage the situation give it plenty of material to work with. However, in terms of overall quality, the movie still finds itself outclassed by other comedies. For most viewers, the combination of a dicey premise and mediocre payoff will make Blame It on Rio one to skip.
For a lurid thriller about an affair between an older man and a younger woman, try Chloe. For a comedy about a more caddish middle-aged man trying to relive his youth, try Solitary Man.
[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086973/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent humor stapled to a hit-or-miss premise.