🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Bruce Beresford
- Genre: Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Romance
- Release year: 1989
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (8.2K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Writer’s block? Fake an alibi for a hot Romanian murder suspect, let her move in, and hope you don’t end up as plot twist.
🍿 Her Alibi: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Writer’s Block and Courtroom Inspiration
Phil Blackwood, a once-successful writer of detective novels, is suffering from severe writer’s block. Desperate for inspiration, he begins attending court sessions hoping to find a spark for his next book. He’s struggling to come up with new ideas after writing 30 novels in the same genre.

The Mysterious Nina and a False Alibi
In court, Phil encounters Nina Ionescu, a beautiful Romanian woman accused of murder. Intrigued and captivated by her, Phil impulsively offers her an alibi, claiming they were together at the time of the crime. This decision stems from both his attraction to her and a belief in her innocence, despite a lack of evidence.

Suspicion and Close Calls
Nina is released and moves in with Phil. However, as Nina displays unusual skills, like knife-throwing, Phil begins to doubt her innocence and fear for his safety. His fictional world and his real world begin to blur. Dangerous situations and near-death experiences lead Phil to question whether he’s fallen for a killer.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Phil Blackwood (Tom Selleck): A mystery writer suffering from writer’s block who impulsively provides an alibi for a murder suspect.
- Nina Ionescu (Paulina Porizkova): A beautiful and mysterious Romanian woman accused of murder, whose true nature is unclear.
- Sam (William Daniels): Phil’s long-suffering publisher who tries to motivate him to write a new novel.
- Frank Polito (James Farentino): A detective investigating the murder case and Phil’s involvement.
- ‘Lucy’ Comanescu (Ronald Guttman): One of the agents tracking Nina.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Phil Blackwood: “She speaks English very well, for a receptionist.” – Phil makes a sarcastic remark about Nina’s apparent deception after she demonstrates advanced skills.
- Sam: “You know, Phil, most writers find inspiration, they don’t date it.” – Sam expresses his disbelief and concern about Phil’s involvement with Nina.
- Phil Blackwood: “If I’m not careful, I’m going to end up in one of my books.” – Phil realizes that the events in his life are mirroring the plots of his own mystery novels.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $15,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $18,699,037
- Worldwide Gross: $18,699,037
💥 Her Alibi Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this as a kid and thinking Paulina Porizkova was the most beautiful woman in the world! The movie itself is light and fluffy, perfect for a rainy day. Tom Selleck is charmingly goofy. It’s not a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s a fun, nostalgic trip back to the late ’80s. The pool scene is nice too.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Tom Selleck”
- “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted romantic comedies”
- “Those looking for 80s nostalgia”
- “People who appreciate movies with mystery elements”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild violence”
- “Brief suggestive content”
- “Some thematic elements may be intense for younger viewers”
Professional Reviews
- MovieWeb: “A middling romantic comedy crime movie featuring a couple of huge stars may have actually damaged Tom Selleck’s once unstoppable big screen trajectory. *Her Alibi* lacks the wit or excitement needed to really resonate.
- N/A: “If you want to see fine film-making, rent Beresford’s Breaker Morant. If you want to laugh at a film with no social significance at all, rent Her Alibi. Her Alibi (1989) directed by Bruce Beresford, is a very funny, but totally predictable, murder mystery.
Audience Reactions
Tom Selleck is funny and a little goofy.: Fans appreciated its lightheartedness and charm.
Paulina Porizkova’s beauty and accent captivated viewers.: Viewers enjoyed the funny adventure with excellent performance.
Overall Consensus: A lighthearted and charming romantic comedy with mystery elements, enjoyable for its humor and the performances of Tom Selleck and Paulina Porizkova, although some found it predictable and shallow.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Tom Selleck and Paulina Porizkova reportedly did not get along during filming, requiring separate photoshoots for the movie poster.”
- “Bruce Beresford directed both ‘Her Alibi’ and ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ in the same year (1989), showcasing his versatility.”
- “The movie’s soundtrack features ‘Falling in Love’ by Randy Newman.”
🖥️ How to Watch Her Alibi?
As of today, reliable streaming information for ‘Her Alibi’ is limited. Check streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other on-demand services for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Her Alibi, you might like these similar films:
- Foul Play (1978): Similar blend of comedy, romance, and suspense with an innocent protagonist caught up in a dangerous situation.
- Romancing the Stone (1984): Features a writer who finds themselves living out the adventures they write about, combined with romance and danger.
- The Tourist (2010): A modern film where an American tourist is used as a decoy and becomes entangled with a mysterious woman.
- Charade (1963): A stylish, suspenseful, and humorous film with mistaken identity, romance, and international intrigue.
🛒 Her Alibi Related Products
- Magnum, P.I.: The Complete Series: Relive Tom Selleck’s iconic role as Thomas Magnum, the charismatic private investigator. Enjoy every exciting episode in stunning HD quality.
- 80s Movie Soundtrack Collection: Get into the vibe with this 80s soundtrack collection. Features iconic scores and memorable songs from the best movies, transporting you back to the best movie era.
- Her Alibi Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. Perfect for framing and displaying in your home theater or collection.
- Tom Selleck Autographed Photo: A signed photograph of Tom Selleck, a unique addition to any collection. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
🎧 Soundtrack
Her Alibi features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Her Alibi’ is primarily a romantic comedy with elements of mystery and suspense. The film blends humor with intrigue as the protagonist grapples with his attraction to a potentially dangerous woman.
‘Her Alibi’ was filmed in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. The film utilizes various locations in the city to create the setting for the story.
A writer struggling with writer’s block offers an alibi to a beautiful woman accused of murder, leading to a series of humorous and suspenseful events as he tries to determine if she’s innocent or dangerous.
🔥 Bonus Content
Her alibi – Tom Selleck gets a fright
Remember that scene where Tom Selleck gets the surprise of his life? Check out this hilarious moment from ‘Her Alibi’ – Paulina Porizkova is so extra, it’s comedy gold!
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.