The moon has been a muse for some of the most iconic pieces of media in history — such as Georges Méliès’ silent film “A Trip to the Moon,” Neil Young’s discography, and “The Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd. Yet, the 1987 film “Moonstruck,” starring Cher and Nicolas Cage, is possibly the best romantic comedy to feature the moon as a recurring theme.
“Moonstruck” means to be dreamy, lovesick, romantic and irrational, and it encapsulates the overall feeling of the story. It is the type of film that one can enjoy in any circumstance and at any moment in time. It is charming and fun. The story flows easily, and the dialogue has quote-worthy lines every minute. The stellar performances of Cher and Cage bring so much chemistry that feels almost too good for the unlikely pairing, winning Cher her first and only Academy Award.
The film follows the story of Cher’s Loretta Castorini, an Italian-American widow who lovelessly accepted her boyfriend Johnny Cammareri’s proposal. Castorini starts planning the wedding with superstitions to not find herself unlucky in love again while Cammareri goes on a trip to Italy. She then meets Cage’s Ronny, Johnny’s brother, feeling drawn to him and involving herself in an intense romance overseen by the huge moon above.
The film is the perfect example of how a romantic comedy should be — there are messy characters in a messy story with a light-hearted yet dramatic script. There is funny dialogue yet everyone is dead serious. There are many subplots happening at the same time, yet they do not overwhelm the viewer.
As simple as the premise might seem, “Moonstruck” won three Academy Awards in 1988, including Olympia Dukakis as Best Supporting Actress and Best Writing for John Patrick Shanley — all of them well deserved as they brought complex, well-rounded emotions and life to the screen.
Every character is burdened by the complexity of their emotions, solving their own storylines simultaneously with everybody else. At least three characters cheat. Cage loves the opera. The grandfather cries in confusion as he takes care of his countless dogs, and there is a professor that gets drinks poured down his head every time he brings a new date to the restaurant. These random subplots make sense in the movie’s resolution, bringing catharsis to the viewer and encouraging them to rewatch.
“Moonstruck” is a film that everyone should watch. One feels welcome to watch what goes on in the Castorini family with Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore” in the background. It is an underrated classic that aids viewers in de-stressing and adds an ounce of happiness to everyone’s day.
