Blame It on Rio 1984

In an apparently serene environment, Matthew Hollis is grappling with the intricacies of his marriage to Karen, while fulfilling his role as a caring father to their teenage daughter Nikki. Meanwhile, his close friend Victor Lyons, who is currently navigating the rough waters of a divorce, faces similar challenges with his 15-year-old daughter Jennifer. As the underlying tensions in Matthew’s marriage continue to fester, Karen opts for a solo trip to Bahia to reconsider her priorities. In tandem, Matthew and Victor opt for a father-daughter getaway to Rio de Janeiro, providing a chance for bonding and much-needed relaxation.

Upon their arrival in Rio, the group is enveloped by a lively ambiance brimming with music and beauty. It is in this vibrant setting that Jennifer and Nikki share accommodations, where Jennifer candidly reveals her crush on Matthew to a sympathetic Nikki, paving the way for a meaningful friendship between the two girls.

However, their initial tranquility is soon disrupted by a whirlwind of unexpected incidents. At the beach, Matthew and Victor are distracted by the abundance of musicians and young women, only to discover that their daughters are embracing the liberating atmosphere of Rio. This revelation leaves the fathers in disarray, as they grapple with reconciling their worries with the carefree spirit of their surroundings.

As their trip continues, rising tensions culminate during a visit to a local pub. Victor finds himself captivated by a divorcée, while Matthew decides to attend a nearby wedding, where the unexpected occurs — he bumps into Jennifer. In a shocking twist, all attendees decide to strip down to their underwear to take a plunge in the chilly ocean. Jennifer boldly invites Matthew to join them, and while wading into the water, she surprises him with a passionate kiss. This bold move does not go unnoticed by Nikki, who observes the encounter with a mix of shock and intrigue.

The aftermath of their spontaneous connection unfolds in the ensuing days. Despite Matthew’s initial hesitance to engage further, Jennifer persistently pursues him, resulting in another illicit encounter. One morning, while Victor and Nikki are sharing a quiet breakfast in the garden, Jennifer seizes the moment to kiss Matthew while he shaves, leaving a trace of shaving foam on her cheek. Later, over dinner, she discreetly touches his crotch bulge, leading to another surrender to their desires.

As Jennifer’s emotions swell like a tempest, she confesses to her father about her feelings for an older man. Victor reacts like a storm, his anger surging as he seeks out this mysterious suitor, believing Matthew will be his ally in this mission. On the other hand, Matthew attempts to persuade Jennifer to end their affair, yet she remains steadfast in her feelings and sends him a nude self-portrait while in the Sugarloaf Cable Car, leaving Matthew deeply conflicted.

As Victor’s fury simmers, he remains unaware of his own treachery unfolding behind the scenes. The truth about Jennifer’s feelings only emerges when Matthew reveals her secret, provoking Victor’s anger yet again, which is soon eclipsed by the realization of his own infidelity, leaving him speechless.

As this emotional storm rages on, Jennifer contemplates escaping her heartache through drastic measures. However, fate has other plans, and she survives her attempt, emerging from the darkness with a renewed love for life. This near-tragic event strengthens the bond among their group as they confront the ramifications of their choices.

As the fathers wrestle with the moral dilemmas they face, Karen and Matthew choose to openly address the fissures in their relationship, while Jennifer embarks on a new chapter, exploring a tender connection with a young nurse she met during her recovery. In a heartfelt moment, Matthew expresses gratitude to Nikki for being a beacon of innocence through the chaos, and as the credits roll, he reflects wistfully, > “You only live once, but it does help if you get to be young twice.”