Product: Moonstruck (1987)
Rating: 5.0
"La Bella Luna! The Moon Brings the Woman to the Man. Capice?"
I had just experienced one of those hectic, rotten days, that I had just as soon forget. Luckily, for the past few weeks I had the 1987 Oscar winning, romantic-comedy, "Moonstruck" sitting in my DVD collection, just waiting to be opened. I hadn't seen the film in a number of years and decided to give it a shot for old times sake. With my feet up on the couch (and a drink in hand) it turned out to be just the antidote to make that day, melt away and transport me to another place. It is a truely romantic, magical film, that leaves you with a smile on your face. For those who don't know, "Moonstruck" takes place in the ethnic, Brooklyn neighborhoods of NYC. It centers on the almost operatic, personal lives of the members of the Italian-American, Castorini family. The film introduces us to Loretta (an amazing Cher) a 37 year old, bookkeeper, who claims "to have no luck" in her drab, practical life. Because she is so beaten down, she would rather trust her head, than her heart. This is why she accepts a (comical) marriage proposal from Mr. Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello) a good match, but whom she dosn't really love. Mr. Johnny goes off to Italy to be at the side of his dying mother. He has but one request of Loretta. Invite his brother, Ronnie (Nicolas Cage) to the wedding. Loretta meets Ronnie, a dark souled, brooding, opera obsessed, baker with one hand. There are instant sparks of fiery, passion between the two. Will Loretta follow her head or heart? We also meet Loretta's father, Cosmo (Vicent Gardenia), a wealthy plumber. He is having an affair with another woman, in the belief, that it will keep him young and stave off his own mortality. His wife Rose (Olympia Dukakis) suspects the affair and goes off on a quest (with an amourous, college professor) of her own, to find out the answer to the question, "why do men chase women?" All these plotlines converge under a brilliant, harvest moon to the beautiful & romantic, musical strains of Puccini's opera, "La Boheme". Once in awhile a film comes out, where everything just runs on all cylinders. Director, Norman Jewison has created a near pitch perfect, romantic-comedy, that works on many different levels. Writer, John Patrick Stanley (Best Original screenplay, 1987) has written a tight, funny, moving script with tons of quotable dialogue ("Old man, you give those dogs another piece of my food and I'll kick you 'till your dead!"). The ensemble cast is all around amazing. Cher and Olympia Dukakis both give truely Oscar winning performances. The rest of the cast, which includes Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello, Feodor Chaliapin Jr., Julie Bavasso, Vincent Gardenia and John Mahoney all give great performances. Finally, mention should be made of the wonderful use of Puccini's "La Bohemme" on the soundtrack. It is a perfect merging of cinematic images with music. It makes a commentary about the operatic nature of the personal lives of the film's characters. "Moonstruck" has now been re-released in a 'Deluxe Edition' DVD. The remastering is fine, but nothing to brag about. Extras include an excellent commentary track from Cher and the film's director & writer. Also included is a good 'making of documentary' and a look at Italian food recipes. "Moonstruck" is a wonderful romantic-comedy, that will be a delight for most movie fans! Highly recommended!