Do you like kitschy 80s movies? What about Cyndi Lauper? Jeff Goldblum?
Boy do I have the movie for you!
“Vibes” (1988) is a comedy centering around a couple of eccentric psychics who are hired to find Harry Buscafusco’s (Peter Falk) missing son in Ecuador. (Yes, the character’s last name is Buscafusco and once he was introduced I definitely had to say the name a few times out loud just for fun.)
Goldblum plays Nick; a heartfelt, nerdy and sweet character you can’t help but love from the get-go. His psychic powers allow him to gather information from objects by touching them, usually about the last person who touched it but also information about its previous whereabouts or origins which is helpful as he’s a museum curator by trade.
Sylvia (Cyndi Lauper) communicates with a spirit named Louise throughout the movie who feeds her relevant information and sassy one-liners. She is a damaged, tough as nails character who will annoy the hell out of you until suddenly you adore her and you’re not quite sure when your opinion shifted.
Once the pair + Harry arrive in Ecuador, Harry is discovered to be conning them. He is in search of a lost Incan city, and the missing person he set out for them to find is not actually important to the plot (or to Harry) in the slightest. His only importance was that he vanished after finding the lost city. RIP, or something. It’s unclear if he’s dead or in another realm.
Despite the lies and despite dangerous run-ins with people who are set on killing them, Nick and Sylvia decide to help Harry and what follows is a hilarious, fun, and sometimes genuinely touching adventure. It’s got love, hilarious acting that surely inspired the character Shaun in Psych, friendship, drama, and some Indiana-Jones, but make it 80s action. Plus it has pan flute music and cinematography reminiscent of the Karate Kid.
Ultimately, a fabulous 80’s flick. Even the green screens add to the comedic charm.
I highly recommend Vibes, available to stream on Prime Video.
The Midnight Review 