Moonstruck (1987) Cher, Nicolas Cage, Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Danny Aiello, Julie Bovasso, John Mahoney Movie Review

Moonstruck (1987)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Cher in Moonstruck (1987)

Wasn't That Struck

Loretta Castorini (Cher) was married once but before they could start a family her husband was killed when a bus hit him. Now the years have passed, the grey hairs have started to show and she has found herself dating Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello). But after an awkward wedding proposal at the family's favourite restaurant Loretta is prepared to get married again although first Johnny is heading back to Italy as his mother is on her death bed. It is whilst he is gone that Loretta goes to see his estranged brother Ronny (Nicolas Cage) who fell out with his brother a few years early after an injury lead to a lost girlfriend. But that just makes things messy as Loretta ends up falling for Ronny and he her.

Is "Moonstruck" an entertaining movie? Yes it is certainly an enjoyable romantic comedy which despite being 30 years old is still entertaining. Is "Moonstruck" a great romantic comedy? Well to be honest I have to say no despite it being held in high regard by many. But I have been around the movie reviewing block for many a year and many of those who appreciate "Moonstruck" more than I do watched it back in 1987 and is tied in to a nostalgic memory, in fact I read quite a few positive opinions from those who remember taking a girlfriend on a date to see this movie. And that is great because I have some movies which trigger those sort of memories it is just that "Moonstruck" isn't one of them.

Nicolas Cage in Moonstruck (1987)

Now I suppose the thing about "Moonstruck" which kind of lets it down for me is that the storyline is such a cliche as we have Loretta who has just got engaged but ends up falling for the younger brother. Yes there are subplots including Loretta's father who is being unfaithful to her mother but none of this distracts from the routine nature of the woman engaged to the wrong brother storyline. Even the way this ends whilst an entertaining scene around a kitchen table almost has a cliche side to it.

But then "Moonstruck" seems to be as much about the characters as it is the romance and as such there is no denying this is packed with comical performances. Danny Aiello is quite sweet in an awkward manner whilst Feodor Chaliapin Jr. has one of those faces filled with character as he plays the old man with his dogs. As for Nicolas Cage, well to be honest whilst at times he is amusing he is the weakest part of the movie and was too young for the character, looking nervous in many a scene where he should be confident. But then you have Cher who is great form throughout delivering attitude, character and undeniably looking absolutely stunning when Loretta has a makeover. Cher definitely brings to life the part of a woman who has found herself woken up by the thrill of love.

What this all boils down to is that "Moonstruck" is a good romantic comedy which despite now being 30 years is still entertaining. But for me beyond Cher and a nice atmosphere this movie lacks anything to push it over in to the realms of being a great romantic comedy.


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