by Kay Lobegeiger

Created on: January 09, 2010

Finding the right partner and falling in love can be a complex issue.  Even more so when you are afraid that your life is full of bad luck when it comes to marriage.  Moonstruck is a romantic movie with a slight touch of paranoia when Loretta Castorini (Cher) accepts a proposal of marriage from Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello), whom she doesn't love,  but is prepared to respect for the sanctity of marriage.  She is paranoid that her life is full of bad luck after her first husband was hit by a bus, which she considers is caused by her marrying in a registry office, without her father giving her away.  This time she is determined to have the real thing, a church service with a white wedding and her father paying for everything. 

Johnny is not the romantic type, nor does he fully comprehend how to propose to a woman.  However, he respects Loretta and loves his mother, who is dying in Sicily.  He flies back to see his dying mother and tell her he is getting married, leaving Loretta to plan their wedding for a month's time and also invite his estranged brother, who he hasn't seen in five years.  Loretta's first impression of Ronnie Cammereri (Nicholas Cage) is that he is crazy  with a chip on his shoulder, as well as having a wooden hand.  He blames his brother Johnny for the loss of his hand, which was sliced off when Johnny distracted him.  He also lost the girl he loved and now threatens to kill himself, saying his life is nothing but fires and loaves of bread.  However, Loretta falls head over heels for him and the feeling is mutual, which proves a problem for the bride-to-be.

While Johnny is in Sicily, Loretta and Ronnie go to the opera and discover that her father (Vincent Gardenia), has been cheating on her mother.  He is also paranoid, fearing death and he thinks by chasing women he will live longer.  Loretta's mother Rose (Olympia Dukasis), a level-headed woman, meets a man in a restaurant, but does nothing more than allow him to walk her home and kiss her on the cheek, even though she is aware of her husband's infedility.  

Over all this emotional turmoil, a full moon shines down and appears to create these circumstances.  However, when Johnny returns, he tells Loretta he can't marry her because his mother  miracuously came back from death, immediately he told her he was getting married.  Of course everyone except Johnny realizes the significance of this news and it makes the situation easier for the lovers to break their news to Johnny.   Ronnie proposes to Loretta and her father promises Rose he will never to see the other woman again.

Although there are certain morals within the story, I recommend this movie for the feel good element.   The romantic symbolism in the moon and the happy ending for all concerned is a change from the crime and passion we see so often.   Cher's portrayal of Loretta was worthy of her Academy Award nomination and with Nicholas Cage, they produced a wonderful performance.  A highly recommended film.  

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