Moonstruck

Moonstruck is a 1987 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Jewison and written by John Patrick Shanley. The film stars Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, and Danny Aiello. The story revolves around a widowed Italian-American woman who falls in love with her fiancé's estranged, hot-tempered younger brother.

Plot

The film is set in Brooklyn, New York City. Loretta Castorini (Cher) is a 37-year-old widow who works as a bookkeeper. She lives with her father, Cosmo Castorini (Vincent Gardenia), her mother, Rose Castorini (Olympia Dukakis), and her grandfather. Loretta's boyfriend, Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello), proposes to her before leaving for Sicily to visit his dying mother. Loretta accepts, but she does not love Johnny.

While Johnny is away, Loretta meets his estranged younger brother, Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage), who works as a baker. Ronny has a wooden hand, which he blames on Johnny, and he harbors deep resentment towards him. Despite their initial animosity, Loretta and Ronny fall passionately in love.

Cast

• Cher as Loretta Castorini
• Nicolas Cage as Ronny Cammareri
• Vincent Gardenia as Cosmo Castorini
• Olympia Dukakis as Rose Castorini
• Danny Aiello as Johnny Cammareri

Production

The film was shot on location in New York City, primarily in the Brooklyn Heights and Little Italy neighborhoods. The screenplay by John Patrick Shanley was praised for its witty dialogue and rich character development.

Reception

Moonstruck was a critical and commercial success. It grossed over $80 million at the box office and received widespread acclaim from critics. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards and won three: Best Actress for Cher, Best Supporting Actress for Olympia Dukakis, and Best Original Screenplay for John Patrick Shanley.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards
  • Won: Best Actress (Cher)
  • Won: Best Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis)
  • Won: Best Original Screenplay (John Patrick Shanley)
  • Nominated: Best Picture
  • Nominated: Best Director (Norman Jewison)
  • Nominated: Best Supporting Actor (Vincent Gardenia)

Legacy

Moonstruck is considered a classic romantic comedy and remains popular for its charming portrayal of love and family dynamics. The film's success helped to solidify Cher's status as a leading actress in Hollywood.

See Also

• List of romantic comedy films
• Cher filmography
• Nicolas Cage filmography

External Links

Moonstruck at IMDb

Moonstruck at AllMovie