Okay, fellow travelers of the tape-tracked path, let's rewind to a time when star pairings could be delightfully unexpected, and adventure often came with a heavy dose of… well, weirdness. Remember stumbling across that video box, maybe tucked between the action hits and the family comedies, featuring the unmistakable neon-bright energy of Cyndi Lauper alongside the lanky, intellectual charm of Jeff Goldblum? That, my friends, was 1988's Vibes, a film that promised psychic powers, South American treasure hunts, and maybe, just maybe, finding romance amidst the mystical mumbo-jumbo.
### Tuning In To A Strange Frequency
Vibes doesn't waste time setting up its wonderfully bizarre premise. We meet Sylvia Pickel (Cyndi Lauper, in her first major starring role after conquering the music world), a flamboyant trance-medium who channels a wisecracking spirit guide named Louise. Then there's Nick Deezy (Jeff Goldblum, hitting peak quirky Goldblum stride), a psychometrist who can divine the history of any object he touches – a talent that makes antique stores a minefield of sensory overload. They meet at a psychic research study, two oddball talents feeling utterly out of place, until the delightfully shifty Harry Buscafusco (Peter Falk, bringing his inimitable Columbo-esque charm, albeit with more outright con artistry) enters their lives. He hires them for a cool $50,000 each to accompany him to Ecuador, ostensibly to find his missing son, but really to locate a legendary lost city of gold high in the Andes, guarded by potent psychic energy. What could possibly go wrong?
### An Adventure Off The Beaten Path
Directed by Ken Kwapis, who would later helm films like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) and numerous episodes of The Office, Vibes feels like an early attempt to blend multiple popular genres. It's got the globe-trotting adventure reminiscent of Romancing the Stone (1984), the quirky romance often found in 80s comedies, and a supernatural element that taps into the era's fascination with the paranormal. The screenplay comes from the powerhouse duo of Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel (Splash, Parenthood), along with Deborah Blum, so you'd expect comedy gold. And there are genuinely funny moments, often stemming from the sheer absurdity of the situations and the leads' contrasting energies. Lauper throws herself into Sylvia with infectious gusto, all quirky mannerisms and unexpected vulnerability, while Goldblum delivers his lines with that signature hesitant intellectualism that makes even mundane dialogue sound profound (or hilariously awkward). Falk, naturally, steals every scene he's in, chewing the scenery with delightful abandon.
### Retro Fun Facts: Behind the Psychic Curtain
Despite the pedigree and the promising concept, Vibes famously didn't quite connect with audiences or critics back in '88. It was a notable box office disappointment, pulling in only around $12 million against a reported $18 million budget – a significant stumble. Part of the film's odd charm today lies in its slightly uneven tone; it bounces between slapstick, genuine danger, romantic sparks, and mystical wonder, never quite settling comfortably into one groove. You can almost feel the different genre influences pulling the narrative in various directions.
Some fun tidbits for your next retro movie night: Lauper not only starred but also contributed the catchy theme song, "Hole in My Heart (All the Way to China)". Filming on location in Ecuador reportedly presented numerous challenges, adding a layer of real-world adventure to the production. And seeing Goldblum handle artifacts, channeling their past, feels like a dry run for the chaos theory explanations he’d master just a few years later in Jurassic Park (1993). It's also fascinating to see Kwapis, Ganz, and Mandel involved in a project so tonally different from many of their later, more grounded hits. Was it an experiment that didn't quite land, or just ahead of its (very strange) time?
### Does It Still Resonate?
Watching Vibes today is an exercise in appreciating charming imperfection. The plot meanders, some jokes fall flat, and the special effects surrounding the climactic psychic showdown are pure, unadulterated 80s cheese (in the best possible way, naturally!). Yet, there's an undeniable earnestness to it all. Lauper and Goldblum possess a weirdly compelling anti-chemistry that somehow works for their characters – two lonely souls finding connection in the most bizarre circumstances. The Ecuadorian scenery is genuinely beautiful, offering a tangible sense of place often missing in studio-bound adventures.
It’s the kind of movie that likely wouldn't get made today, at least not without sanding off its wonderfully rough edges. It's slightly too silly, a little too earnest, and wears its influences (and perhaps its production struggles) openly on its sleeve. But isn't that part of the magic of digging through the VHS archives? Finding these unique, sometimes flawed gems that took chances? Vibes is exactly that – a strange, colourful, slightly off-key adventure that, despite its shortcomings, radiates a certain warmth and goofy charm. I remember renting this one, drawn purely by the leads, and being utterly bewildered yet somehow entertained by the sheer oddity unfolding on my CRT screen.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
The Score Explained: Vibes gets a 6 for its undeniable charm, the fantastic casting (Lauper, Goldblum, Falk are a joy, even if the script lets them down slightly), and its ambitious, if messy, blend of genres. It loses points for its uneven tone, occasionally sluggish pacing, and a plot that feels like it needed another polish. However, its heart is in the right place, and its sheer 80s quirkiness makes it a fun, nostalgic watch if you're in the right mood.
Final Thought: Vibes might not be lost treasure, but it’s definitely a curious artifact worth digging up – a reminder that sometimes, the strangest frequencies make for the most memorable adventures on tape.