Vibes

It's not always easy making the jump from music stardom to big screen success. For every Prince with Purple Rain or Madonna with Desperately Seeking Susan, there's a Mariah Carey with Glitter or The Village People with Can't Stop The Music. Even if it seems like a perfect vehicle, it doesn't mean it will always translate to an audience. Case in point, Cyndi Lauper's big screen debut, 1988's Vibes.

Lauper stars as Sylvia Pickel, a psychic who is recruited by the shady Harry, Peter Falk. Harry offers to pay Sylvia $50,000 if she will go to Ecuador with him to help him find his missing son. Sylvia asks fellow psychic Nick, Jeff Goldblum, if he will tag along and help. Skeptical at first, Nick agrees to go because he's tired of being treated like a freak at work.

Once there, Nick's powers uncover that Harry is using them for something other than finding his son. And when dead bodies and rival psychics begin to show up, Sylvia and Nick realize that they might be in over their heads.

It's too bad that Lauper didn't have much of a film career. She is really charming and sweet in this. And she handles her scenes with seasoned pro's Goldblum and Falk nicely. She and Goldblum have good chemistry together. Steve Buscemi pops up in a cameo as well.

I'm not sure why this Ron Howard production was a flop. It's really funny and even has a bit of a Raiders Of The Lost Ark vibe if you are looking for more than laughs.

Available on dvd.