Remember Tom Selleck’s ‘Her Alibi’? A Look Back at the 1989 Rom-Com That Still Makes Us Swoon
Decades later, the 1989 romantic comedy remains a beloved comfort watch—here's why it still resonates
Key Takeaways
- Tom Selleck starred in the romantic comedy 'Her Alibi' back in 1989.
- The film showcased Tom Selleck's abilities in the romantic comedy genre.
- Over the years, Tom has showcased his romantic side in a few other roles.
There are certain projects Tom Selleck is most recognized for, those typically being Magnum, P.I., Blue Bloods or Three Men and a Baby (1987), but folks tend to overlook the moments in which he brought a bit of romance to the screen—and it’s something we wish he did more often! In 1989, Tom Selleck showed the world that he could shine as brightly in a romantic comedy as he could as a crime-fighting private eye when he appeared in Her Alibi. The film has been celebrated for its nostalgia and spot amongst several other romantic comfort movies of the 80s. Here, take a look back at Her Alibi and the handful of other moments in which Tom Selleck shined as a romantic lead.
Tom Selleck in ‘Her Alibi’
In Her Alibi, Selleck stars as a struggling mystery novelist suffering from writer’s block and a decline in sales. To find inspiration for his work, he sits in on courtroom trials, only to be taken one day by a beautiful woman accused of murder. Nina (played by Paulina Porizkova) immediately captivated Selleck’s Phil, and in an attempt to free who he believes is an innocent woman, he poses as her false alibi, pretending to be a priest whom she was having an affair with. Upon Nina’s release, she moves into Phil’s home, and the writer begins to pen a new tale inspired by Nina’s story. However, as time goes on and Nina reveals more and more about herself (and her unusual skillset), Phil begins to worry that Nina might actually be capable of the crime she was accused of committing—and he may be her next target.
Tom Selleck brought his usual charm to the role, and despite not necessarily being a critical hit, many still celebrate it for its nostalgia. “I remember watching this as a child and loving it,” wrote a Reddit user in a post about the film. “As an adult, I can see it’s cheesy and a tad predictable, but easy viewing. There are some great lines from Tom Selleck and a hilarious scene involving an arrow.” Another user shared, “It was a decent movie. My mom is a huge Selleck fan, so we watched it a lot in my younger years.”
”Everyone’s expecting great things from Her Alibi, but whatever happens, I really enjoyed making this film, and it gave me a chance to try something different,” the actor shared with The Chicago Tribune back in 1989 leading up to the film’s release. ”My character is totally unlike Thomas Magnum, or the guy in Three Men.”
Tom Selleck’s other romantic roles
Another beloved romantic comedy featuring Tom Selleck is 1999’s The Love Letter. When Helen, a bookstore owner, receives an unsigned love letter in the mail, the gears start turning trying to figure out who wrote it. However, as the letter gets mistakenly passed around their sleepy town into the hands of several individuals, each believes the letter was meant for them in this sweet comedy about finding love when you least expect it.
Though not necessarily romances or romantic comedies, Selleck has brought romantic storylines to life in films including Three Men and a Little Lady (1990) and of course, during his famous stint on Friends. Though we wish we could have seen this hunky actor bring on the flirtation just a few more times, we love the films and series he’s given us!
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