Okay, fellow tapeheads, let’s rewind to 1989. Imagine strolling down the aisles of your local Video Palace, the scent of popcorn and plastic cases in the air. You spot a familiar, mustachioed face smiling back from a cover, next to one of the era’s most famous supermodels. The title? Her Alibi. You shrug, figure "Why not?", and take it home for a Friday night watch on the trusty CRT. What unfolds is a curious concoction, a film directed by a man, Bruce Beresford, who was literally polishing his Oscar contender Driving Miss Daisy around the same time. The contrast alone is worth the rental fee.
The Writer, The Suspect, The Mustache
Her Alibi throws us into the world of Phil Blackwood, played by the effortlessly charming Tom Selleck. He’s a successful mystery novelist suffering from a crippling case of writer's block. Seeking inspiration, he starts attending courtroom trials, which is where he spots Nina Ionescu (Paulina Porizkova), a stunning Romanian immigrant accused of murdering a man with… scissors. Instantly smitten (and sensing a killer plot – maybe literally), Phil does the only logical thing: he lies, claiming Nina was with him at the time of the murder, thus becoming her alibi. The catch? She has to live with him under house arrest while he writes his next bestseller based on her potential guilt. What could possibly go wrong?
This setup is pure late-80s high-concept fuel. Tom Selleck, fresh off the massive success of Magnum, P.I. (which wrapped the previous year) and Three Men and a Baby (1987), slides comfortably into the role of the slightly goofy, utterly besotted writer. He leans heavily on the persona that made him a star – the raised eyebrow, the self-deprecating humor, the moments of genuine warmth beneath the suave exterior. There's a decent amount of physical comedy here, some landing better than others, but Selleck commits wholeheartedly, whether he's navigating booby traps presumably set by Nina or dealing with his increasingly panicked publisher, played delightfully straight by William Daniels (yes, Mr. Feeny and the voice of KITT!). It’s a testament to Selleck’s charisma that he keeps you invested, even when the plot strains credulity more than a worn-out VHS tape.
Supermodel on Screen
And then there’s Paulina Porizkova. In 1989, she was arguably the face of modeling, gracing countless magazine covers. Her Alibi was positioned as her major Hollywood breakthrough. Does she pull it off? Well, let’s just say the critical reception at the time wasn’t exactly glowing – she even landed a Razzie nomination for Worst Actress. Watching it now, through the warm, fuzzy lens of nostalgia, her performance feels… intriguing. She certainly possesses an undeniable screen presence and an exotic allure that the camera loves. Her chemistry with Selleck is pleasant enough, though perhaps not electric. The script doesn't give her a huge amount of depth beyond being mysterious and potentially dangerous, relying more on her looks and the inherent tension of her situation. It's a classic example of the 80s fascination with casting supermodels, hoping their runway charisma translated directly to dramatic chops. It was a gamble, and while maybe not a critical home run, her presence undeniably adds to the film's specific late-80s time capsule quality.
When Genres Collide
What makes Her Alibi such a distinct product of its time is its slightly awkward, yet endearing, attempt to blend romantic comedy with Hitchcockian suspense. One minute, Phil is engaging in slapstick routines trying to figure out if Nina is trying to kill him; the next, shadowy figures are lurking, and genuine danger seems present. It’s a tonal balancing act that director Bruce Beresford doesn't always nail. Considering he gave us the subtle drama of Tender Mercies (1983) and the aforementioned Driving Miss Daisy, Her Alibi feels like an odd detour. You can almost sense a prestige director trying to have some lightweight fun, but perhaps not entirely comfortable with the broad comedy or the thriller mechanics. Did you know Beresford actually turned down directing Driving Miss Daisy initially, before eventually circling back? Maybe Her Alibi was the palate cleanser he needed, or perhaps just a studio assignment between more serious projects.
The suspense elements, while present, often feel secondary to the burgeoning romance and Phil’s comedic paranoia. Remember those moments where Phil suspected Nina of poisoning his food or setting traps? They played more for laughs than genuine thrills back then, relying on Selleck’s reactions. There aren't huge pyrotechnics or complex practical effect sequences here – the "action" is mostly character-driven suspicion and mild peril, fitting the rom-com leaning nature of the piece. It’s a far cry from the explosive practical effects extravaganzas common in other action-comedies of the era.
Filmed largely in Connecticut, the movie has that comfortable, slightly upscale suburban feel popular in films of the decade. It looks pleasant, if unremarkable. The plot ambles along, throwing in red herrings and suspicious supporting characters, culminating in a climax that tries to tie everything together, with mixed results. The infamous clown phobia subplot? Definitely memorable, if utterly bizarre.
The Verdict in the VCR
Her Alibi wasn't a box office smash (grossing around $18.6 million against a budget likely in the $15-20 million range) and critics mostly sharpened their own metaphorical scissors. But it found its audience later, becoming a reliable staple on cable TV and in those glorious video rental stores. It's the kind of movie you'd watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon, enjoying Selleck's charm and the will-they-won't-they/is-she-a-killer dynamic without demanding too much from it.
It’s undeniably dated in its plotting and gender dynamics, and Porizkova's performance remains a point of debate. Yet, there's an undeniable comfort-food quality to it. Selleck is magnetic, Daniels is reliably grumpy, and the premise, however silly, holds a certain retro appeal. It perfectly captures that late-80s trend of trying to weld different genres together, hoping star power would smooth over the cracks.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: The rating reflects the undeniable charisma of Tom Selleck and the film's high nostalgia factor as a quintessential late-80s video store find. It earns points for its charming lead, amusing premise, and the presence of William Daniels. However, it loses points for the uneven tone, underdeveloped suspense elements, and a central performance from Paulina Porizkova that, while visually striking, didn't fully land dramatically (as critics noted then, and it's still apparent now). It’s enjoyable fluff, but not quite a hidden gem.
Final Thought: Her Alibi is like finding a dusty but fondly remembered cassette single – the A-side (Tom Selleck) is still catchy, but the B-side (the actual plot/thriller elements) hasn't aged quite as well. Still worth a spin for a pleasant trip down memory lane.