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review

Blind Date (1987): Is it just me, or does Kim Basinger elevate EVERYTHING?

Okay, so I just re-watched 'Blind Date' from '87. I know, I know, it's peak rom-com cheese, but hear me out! Bruce Willis is fine as Walter, the uptight businessman who gets paired with Nadia (Kim Basinger) for a work dinner. The setup is so simple: she's not allowed to drink, or things get...messy. Of course, things get MESSY. Like, dramatically, hilariously messy. I mean, the whole restaurant scene with John Larroquette's character (David Bedford) is just iconic. He's a total psycho! What I really want to talk about is Kim Basinger. She just radiates charm and, honestly, a little bit of danger, even before Nadia chugs the champagne. (Which, sidenote, who hasn't been there? Maybe not on that scale, lol). But even when she's completely off the rails, you still root for her. Her comedic timing is great! I think Willis's performance is fine, a good foil for Basinger's wildness, but she's the one who makes the movie worth watching. Also, the soundtrack? Total 80s earworm fuel. Think like Phil Collins + cheesy synths. The plot itself is pretty predictable. Bachelor gets wild girl, bachelor can't handle wild girl at first, bachelor learns to loosen up, blah blah blah. It's not breaking any storytelling ground. But the sheer absurdity of the situations, and more importantly, Basinger's performance, somehow make it all work. I wouldn't call it a cinematic gem or anything, but it's a fun, lighthearted watch if you're in the mood for some 80s nostalgia and a healthy dose of Kim Basinger being amazing. Anyone else feel this way? Or am I alone on this island?

oliviacinema
18 days ago
2 comments
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