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Posted in General Comments, Movie Review, Movies, Reviews, tagged Best Actress Oscar (Cher), Best Original Screenplay Oscar (Shanley), Best Supporting Actress Oscar (Dukakis), Cher, Cosmo Castorini, Danny Aiello, General Comments, Highly Recommended Movie, John Patrick Shanley, Johnny Cammareri, Julie Bovasso, La Bohème, Loretta Castorini, Movie Reviews, New York City, Nicolas Cage, Norman Jewison, Olympia Dukakis, Reviews, Rita Cappomaggi, Ronny Cammareri, Rose Castorini, Sicily, Vincent Gardenia on May 6, 2026| Leave a Comment »

“Moonstruck” (1987) — movie review
Today’s second film review is for the romantic‑comedy / family‑drama “Moonstruck”, directed by Norman Jewison and starring Cher as Loretta Castorini, a widowed bookkeeper in her late 30s who believes her life is governed by bad luck and practical choices; Nicolas Cage as Ronny Cammareri, the passionate, one‑handed baker whose intensity and wounded pride upend Loretta’s carefully managed world; Danny Aiello as Johnny Cammareri, Loretta’s well‑meaning but indecisive fiancé whose trip to Sicily sets the main bulk of the story in motion; Olympia Dukakis as Rose Castorini, Loretta’s sharp, weary, and quietly wise mother trying to understand why men chase women; Vincent Gardenia as Cosmo Castorini, Loretta’s father, a plumbing contractor whose wandering eye causes half the household tension; and Julie Bovasso as Rita Cappomaggi, Loretta’s aunt, who provides the film’s warm, neighborhood‑family grounding. The movie blends romance, humor, family chaos, and a touch of operatic fate into a story about second chances, passion, and the strange ways love refuses to follow rules.

Background: This was my first viewing of this film, because while I like Cher’s singing, I’ve never cared for her various “images”. LoL. Watching this film now, it feels like I have completely misjudged her — she is funnier, warmer, and much more talented than my earlier perceptions of her (based mostly on her TV shows). Released in 1987, “Moonstruck” was both a critical and commercial success. It received six Academy Award nominations and won three — Best Actress (Cher), Best Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis), and Best Original Screenplay (Shanley). Historically, the film is significant as one of the defining romantic comedies of the 1980s, remembered for its Italian‑American family setting, its operatic flair, and its blend of humor and emotional honesty. It’s also one of the rare rom‑coms to win multiple acting Oscars, which says quite a bit about the performances and the writing.

Plot: Loretta Castorini is a practical woman (a bookkeeper / accountant) who believes her life has been shaped by bad luck — including the sudden death of her first husband whom she married for love. When Johnny Cammareri proposes to her (awkwardly, in a restaurant), she accepts not out of passion but out of a sense that stability is better than loneliness. Johnny must fly to Sicily to visit his dying mother, and he asks Loretta to invite his estranged brother Ronny to their wedding. Loretta visits Ronny at his bakery, only to find a brooding, dramatic man missing a hand (lost in an accident he blames on Johnny). Sparks fly (loudly) and Loretta and Ronny end up in a whirlwind sexual dalliance that throws her life into chaos. Meanwhile, Loretta’s father Cosmo is having an affair, her mother Rose is quietly questioning why men cheat, and the entire Castorini household is buzzing with secrets, arguments, and late‑night confessions. The story builds toward a big, funny, emotional breakfast‑table showdown where everything comes out: the affair, the engagement, the brotherly feud; and somehow, through all the yelling and confusion, love wins out. It’s messy, it’s loud, it’s warm, and it (somehow) works.

So, is this movie any good? How’s the acting? The filming / FX? Any problems? And, did I enjoy the film? Short answers: Yes; excellent; simple and effective; a few (minor); yes.

Any good? Yes. “Moonstruck” is one of those rare romantic comedies that feels both heightened and (almost) completely believable. The story is simple, but the emotional beats land cleanly, and the film doesn’t shy away from the contradictions of love: passion vs. practicality, loyalty vs. desire, fear vs. hope. The pacing is steady, the humor is sharp, and the film balances its multiple story lines without losing track of the characters. The opera motif (especially “La Bohème”) adds a layer of theatricality that fits the tone perfectly. This is a well‑made film that retains its long‑standing reputation.

Acting: Cher gives a terrific performance: realistic, funny, and emotionally honest. She plays Loretta as a woman who has convinced herself she doesn’t deserve passion, only to be blindsided by it. Nicolas Cage is… well, Nicolas Cage — intense, unpredictable, and oddly perfect for Ronny. His bakery‑basement monologue about losing his hand is over‑the‑top, but it works because the film embraces that operatic energy. Olympia Dukakis is outstanding as Rose; her quiet observations and dry humor give the film its emotional anchor, and her Oscar win makes complete sense. Vincent Gardenia is strong as Cosmo, capturing both the bluster and the insecurity of a man who doesn’t know why he’s cheating. The supporting cast fills out the world convincingly, giving the film a lived‑in, neighborhood feel.

Filming / FX: The filming is straightforward and warm. The cinematography focuses on faces, kitchens, street corners, and the small details of family life. The scenes at the opera house are shot with a sense of grandeur that contrasts nicely with the cramped Castorini home. The lighting is soft, the interiors feel authentic, and the film uses New York City as a backdrop without turning it into a postcard. There are no special effects to speak of, and the movie doesn’t need them. The editing is clean, and the pacing supports the story’s mix of comedy and romance.

Problems: A few. Some of the performances (particularly Cage’s) may feel too big for viewers who prefer subtlety. The film leans heavily on Italian‑American stereotypes, though mostly in affectionate ways. The romance between Loretta and Ronny moves quickly (too quickly to be believable) and the film doesn’t always give their emotional shift(s) enough space to develop. A few scenes are melodramatic by modern standards. None of these issues ruin the movie.

Did I enjoy the film? Yes. It’s funny / amusing, warm, and surprisingly moving. The family dynamics feel real, the romantic tension works, and the emotional beats land. The film balances humor, passion, and family chaos without tipping too far into sentimentality. Watching it now, I can see why it made such an impact in 1987 and why it still gets referenced today. It’s not a film I’d personally re‑watch frequently, but I’m glad I’ve finally viewed it, and I will probably watch it again (at some point).

Final Recommendation: Highly recommended. “Moonstruck” is a charming, Oscar‑winning romantic comedy with excellent performances, sharp writing, and a grounded sense of family life. Its three Academy Awards (including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress) reflect the quality of the work, and the film remains an important piece of 1980s cinema. If you’re interested in classic romantic comedies, character‑driven stories, or films with emotional warmth and humor, this one is a must see. It’s a movie that earned and retains its place in film history (but I still don’t like opera).

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Click here (6 May) to see the posts of prior years. I started this blog in late 2009. Daily posting began in late January 2011. Not all of the days in the early years (2009-2010) will have posts.