Enquête en tête

"Vibes" is an overlooked gem, waiting to be discovered. It's faults (weak special effects, and underdeveloped script) are swamped by the enthusiastic performances of Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum. There are so many quick one liners that could easily be missed, multiple viewings are almost mandatory. Peter Falk delivers some real gems too. I can see why the film never found an audience, because it is very silly in parts, yet knives in the back are nothing to laugh at. I say this, go in expecting some dark humor along with endearing acting from Lauper and Goldblum and you will not be disappointed. Simply come along for the ride and leave logic at home. - MERK

Sylvia (Cyndi Lauper) and Nick (Jeff Goldblum) meet at an institute studying those individuals who have psychic abilities. Sylvia channels a lady named Louise, who can predict the future, and Nick can touch objects and then give detailed accounts of the objects' history. Whew! This twosome do not exactly hit it off, at first. Then, Sylvia learns that her boyfriend only wants her around so he can win at the racetrack and Nick discovers his long-standing partner has been cheating, too. Suddenly, Harry (Peter Falk) appears and asks for the duo's help in locating his missing son in Ecuador. He'll pay bigtime, of course. It's off to South America, to battle forces of evil in a quest for truth and, possibly, a treasure. Can Sylvia and Nick begin to like each other among the Inca ruins?

This is, truly, a funny movie. Lauper does a great job as the much put-upon Brooklyn dame and Goldblum is quite nice as her more learned and unexpected suitor. Falk is just down right hilarious as the scheming Harry. The script has some great one-liners and surprises while who can resist an exotic setting south of the border? If you should stumble across this film on television or at the video store, give it a whirl. It will bring a dose of sunshine into your life.

Cheerful, underrated comedy about psychics served as a showcase for pop singer Cyndi Lauper (in her acting debut). She's a comic natural playing Sylvia Pickel, an unlucky-in-love single gal whose "psychic guide" leads her into the arms of fellow clairvoyant Jeff Goldblum (in possibly his smoothest comic performance to date). Both have been duped by con-man Peter Falk into finding a lost city of gold in Ecuador, and for the most part "Vibes" is a funny, knockabout journey with witty vignettes scattered about. The last-act drags its feet, but the script is full of great exchanges and a wonderful scene on the dance floor between the two stars. Lots of amusing one-liners, such as my favorite from Goldblum after Elizabeth Peña disrobes: "Parts of me are already applauding." *** out of ****

For some reason then I have actually never seen the 1988 adventure comedy "Vibes". And even more surprisingly so, as the movie even has my favorite actor on the cast list. But I guess it is because I never stumbled upon a copy of the movie before now in 2021.

Needless to say that I opted to sit down, on the accounts of it being a movie that I hadn't already seen, the synopsis sounded good, and the movie had Julian Sands on the cast list. And of course, having the likes of Jeff Goldblum and Peter Falk on the cast list definitely helped to sweeten the deal.

The storyline told in "Vibes" was good. This wasn't a movie that required a whole lot of concentration or investment from the audience as it was a fairly light-hearted and non-too serious movie. So you just switch off the brain, grab whatever snack you have, lean back and watch the movie.

They had gotten together a good ensemble of actors and actresses for the movie. And I will say that Cyndi Lauper actually did perform surprisingly well here, something that was I a bit hesitant about having her in a lead role. But she surprised me with her performance. It was also fun to watch Jeff Goldblum and Peter Falk in their roles. It was a shame, though, that Julian Sands didn't have more time on the screen.

If you enjoy a light adventure movie, then "Vibes" is certainly a good choice. And despite its age, it is a movie that has aged well, and it quite watchable today.

I am rating "Vibes" a six out of ten stars.

I think Vibes was a very funny film. Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper were very cute together and Peter Falk was very delightful to watch. The plot was crazy but I think it was supposed to be. The special effects were very good and you couldn't help but like the characters (mostly Cyndi Lauper)