Slip this one into the VCR, hit play, and you might find yourself momentarily checking the tape’s label. A lighthearted, slightly frantic comedy-caper set in 1950s Texas, starring Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger, written and directed by… Robert Benton? Yep, the very same Robert Benton who brought us the gut-wrenching drama of Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and the heartfelt resilience of Places in the Heart (1984). Released in 1987, Nadine feels like Benton taking a sunny, slightly dusty detour down a Texas side road, and it’s a curious artifact from the era – a film brimming with star power that somehow sidestepped blockbuster status, making it prime territory for rediscovery here at VHS Heaven.
Small Town Trouble, Big Screen Stars
The setup is pure screwball fizz: It’s 1954 Austin, Texas. Nadine Hightower (Kim Basinger, radiating that late-80s star wattage she possessed post-9½ Weeks), a hairdresser with dreams bigger than her small town, marches into the office of sleazy photographer Raymond Escobar (Jerry Stiller, perfectly cast). Her mission? To retrieve some rather compromising photos she naively posed for, thinking they were for high art. Instead, she accidentally walks in moments after Escobar’s murder and grabs the wrong envelope – one containing secret plans for a new highway development coveted by local kingpin Buford Pope (Rip Torn, doing his inimitable Rip Torn thing). Naturally, she ropes in her charmingly hapless, estranged husband Vernon (Jeff Bridges, effortlessly magnetic even as a loveable loser who runs a barely-solvent bar called the Blue Bonnet). What follows is a cascade of misunderstandings, close calls, and rekindled sparks as the bickering-but-clearly-still-smitten couple try to ditch the incriminating plans, solve a murder, and avoid Buford’s menacing goons.
Lone Star Charm and Retro Style
One of Nadine's undeniable strengths is its sense of place. Robert Benton, a Waxahachie, Texas native, clearly has affection for this setting, and filming on location in Austin lends an air of authenticity often missing from studio backlot recreations. You can almost feel the Texas heat shimmering off the pavement. The period details – the cars, the clothes, Nadine’s beauty parlor – are lovingly rendered, creating a believable 1950s backdrop for the ensuing chaos. Benton, who also penned the script, reportedly wrote the part of Vernon specifically with Jeff Bridges in mind, and it shows. Bridges slides into the role of the easygoing, slightly exasperated Vernon with lived-in comfort, his chemistry with Basinger providing the film's core appeal. While some critics at the time felt their spark didn't quite reach the dizzying heights of classic screwball pairings like Tracy and Hepburn or Grant and Russell, there’s an undeniable warmth and watchability to their interactions. You believe these two have a history, and you root for them to figure things out, both romantically and criminally.
A Curious Case of Box Office Blues
Despite the pedigree of its director and the combined star power of Bridges (coming off acclaimed roles in films like Starman and Jagged Edge) and Basinger (a bona fide movie star who would soon don the cape in Batman), Nadine didn't exactly set the box office ablaze. Made on a respectable $5.7 million budget, it barely recouped that amount domestically, grossing around $5.6 million. It received a decidedly mixed reception, currently sitting at a lukewarm 40% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics. Why didn't it connect? Maybe the blend of light comedy, crime, and romance felt a little slight compared to the high-concept comedies or bombastic action films dominating the late 80s multiplexes. Or perhaps its gentle pacing and character-driven humor felt slightly out of step. For VHS hounds, though, this relative obscurity is part of the charm. Finding Nadine nestled on the rental shelf felt like uncovering a pleasant, unassuming little gem – not a world-changer, but a perfectly enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours.
Does the Fizz Still Pop?
Watching Nadine today is like opening a time capsule, not just to the 1950s setting, but to the particular brand of mid-budget studio filmmaking prevalent in the 80s. The plot mechanics creak a little here and there, and the screwball energy sometimes feels more effortful than effervescent. Yet, there’s an undeniable sweetness to it. The stakes feel refreshingly grounded compared to modern blockbusters – retrieving photos, dodging local thugs, saving a beloved bar. Bridges is reliably great, Basinger brings glamour and comic timing, and Rip Torn chews the scenery with gusto. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, nor does it quite recapture the magic of the films it emulates, but it ambles along agreeably, powered by its leads and its palpable Texas atmosphere. It’s the kind of movie that might have been playing on a lazy Saturday afternoon TV broadcast, catching your eye and holding your attention with its familiar faces and unpretentious charm.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Nadine isn't a forgotten masterpiece, nor is it likely to top anyone's list of essential 80s classics. Its attempt to blend screwball comedy with crime caper yields mixed, though often pleasant, results. The direction from Robert Benton feels competent but perhaps lacks the zany spark the genre demands, and the plot is fairly predictable. However, the undeniable star power and charisma of Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger, coupled with a strong sense of place and Rip Torn's reliably engaging performance, make it a worthwhile watch. It’s a charming, slightly dusty B-side from major talents, earning its 6/10 rating for being an amiable diversion that offers a warm dose of star-driven, retro comfort food – perfectly suited for a quiet evening rewind.
It’s a testament to the era that even a film considered a minor misfire could boast this level of talent and production value – a cozy little corner of the 80s film landscape worth revisiting on tape.