In which the Mister and I check out MOONSTRUCK (1987), which we caught on the TCM app but you can also find on PlutoTv, Roku Channel and to buy/rent on Prime Video. From an Academy Award winning script from John Patrick Shanley, the film is directed by the legendary Norman Jewison. The film follows Loretta Castorini (Cher, in an Oscar winning turn) a straightlaced, bookkeeper from Brooklyn who's accepted her boyfriend, Johnny's (Danny Aiello), marriage proposal. Immediately after, Johnny is Italy bound to see his dying mother but before he boards the plane, he asks Loretta to contact his brother, Ronny (Nicolas Cage) and invite him to the wedding. The phone call doesn't go as planned so Loretta seeks out Ronny at the bakery he works at. They leave to talk, she makes him a steak and soon discovers there is a spark between them. Rounding out the cast is Olympia Dukakis (in her supporting Oscar winning role) as Loretta's mother, Rose; Vincent Gardenia as her father, Cosmo; and Julie Bovasso and Louis Guss as her Aunt Rita and Uncle Ray. The film is a true snapshot of NY in the 80s and a sweet trip down memory lane. The strong writing and outstanding performances still hold up and make this a worthwhile investment of your time. The film clocks in at 1 h 42 m and is rated PG. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.
Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library
