Review of Moonstruck (1987) by Michael C — 20 Dec 2010

Norman Jewison's slice-of-life romantic comedy of an Italian family experiencing a tangled web of forbidden love is a magnificent ode to the simple joys of family. Cher is great in her Oscar-winning performance as Loretta Castorini, a strong-willed Italian widow who makes plans to marry Johnny Cammareri (a wonderful Danny Aiello), a slightly dim but sincere man.

Unfortunately, Johnny must make his way to Sicily to visit his dying mother, and he asks Loretta to invite his estranged brother Ronny to their wedding. Loretta does so, and upon meeting Ronny (Nicolas Cage, in an affecting performance) and learning of all of his anger at the world, invites him to talk to get him to attend the wedding.

The two sleep with each other, and Ronny believes he has found love ("Snap out of it!"). The rest of the film follows the inevitable romance between Loretta and Ronny, and the unraveling marriage of Loretta's long-married parents Cosmo (Vincent Gardenia) and Rose (1987's Best Supporting Actress winner, Olympia Dukakis).

At times both touching in its sincere romanticism and hilarious in its Italian gags, Moonstruck is a winning, moving rom-com for the ages.