Loretta Castorini (Cher) is an Italian-American widow in her late 30s. Her husband died years ago, she is working as a bookkeeper for a funeral home and living with her colorful family members: the grandfather who is more interested in his 5 dogs than the family members, her mother Rose (Olympia Dukasis) is suspecting her husband Cosmo (Vincent Gardenia) is cheating on her, and Cosmo- Loretta’s father who is indeed cheating on Rose. Then there are the other members – Rose’s brother and his wife who are running a shop together.

Loretta is dating the square Johnny (Danny Aiello), another Italian American. When Johnny proposes, she says yes. Her mother approves, as Loretta isn’t in love with him and so he won’t have the power to drive her crazy (Rose’s theory). However before Johnny goes to Italy to be with his dying mother, he asks Loretta to call his brother Ronnie (Nicolas Cage) who he hasn’t spoken to in 5 years. So before she can make any arrangements for the wedding, she finds Ronnie, who is running a bakery in town. Ronnie, unlike his older brother, is passionate, emotional and doesn’t give a damn about what his mother thinks. He also has lost one of his hands due to an accident he blames his brother for. This has left him emotionally scarred and romantically closed off. But when Loretta challenges him in a way no one has ever done before something unexpected and exciting happens: they fall for each other. Now, Loretta is torn between making a logical decision vs. a passionate one.

While there is a strikingly huge and beautiful moon out, Loretta’s uncle is thinking the moon is the reason for everything, her mother is on a quest to understand why men chase women, and her grandfather is trying to understand what the hell is happening to the household. And what will happen to Johnny?

Moonstruck is a very charming, funny and romantic comedy. It is from 1987 but there is nothing particularly 80s about it, except from how young Nicolas Cage is. Remember, this is not to be confused for a chick flick. Yes, it is a romantic comedy in parts but it is also a very fun comedy about an adorable, larger than life and flawed Italian-American family. It has a stellar cast and while I hate Cher’s music (except her rocking duet with Meat Loaf), I do like her as an actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in this film.

The movie won two more Oscars: one for Olympia Dukasis – Best Actress in a Supporting Role and one for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen that went to John Patrick Shanley. The movie was nominated for 3 more Oscars: Best Director (Norman Jewison), Best Film and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Vincent Gardenia). Nicolas Cage was also nominated for Golden Globe for Best Actor.

It is exaggerated, hilarious and lovely. It is one of those films you can enjoy with the whole family or just with your friends and have a laugh. But I guess it might be more enjoyable if you do have some Mediterranean blood in your body as the quirks and conversations will be familiar.

7.1 on IMDB.

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