Moonstruck

The Deluxe Edition is a "must have" for the "extra features" that explain the changes and additions that turned a so-so movie into one I never tiring of watching again and again. For instance, how using Dean Martin's version of "Amore" at the beginning instead of an original score by an orchestra turned a so-so movie into one that announces from the get-go that "This is going to be a fun movie"...and it is. The cast is a director's dream. Who knew the ethnically Armenian Cher or Greek Olympia Dukakis could be so convincingly Italian, or that Nicolas Cage (in his first movie) could be so passionate about opera (and everything else) as well as drop-dead-gorgeous in a tux? Cher's character's transformation from a past-her-prime, 30-something bookkeper still living at home to the hottie she becomes thanks to accidentally re-awakening Cage's character's hormones is not to be missed. The entire story takes place during several days and nights of a particulaly large full moon, hence the title, but it's a snapshot of traditional Italian family life in New York City that'll leave you smiling for days.

My spouse just had to have this movie. We had it on VHS, but our last VHS player puked on us about 5 years ago and we agreed not to replace it. We waited forever to see if this would come to Prime and it seems whenever it did, we were too busy to watch it before it left the Prime Video catalog. So, I gave in and bought it - and of course, it returned to Prime two days after the purchase, and has been in the Prime Video catalog ever since. As corny as this movie may be, we both still get a chuckle with the whole cinematic joke reaches its punch line: "Ma, I love him awful." "Aw, that's too bad."

My parents had season tickets to the old Met. I was 16-years old when I saw "La Boheme." My mother made me read the libretto first so that I knew what the opera was about. Then, I saw "Aida," with the renowned Renata Tibaldi, whom my father loved, and then, "Madame Butterfly." I learned to appreciate Opera at an early age.Opera is an integral part of the film, "Moonstruck." A huge truck from the Metropolitan Opera appears in the opening scene driving down the street. Ronny, played by Nicolas Cage, has an apartment filled with posters from scenes of Operas, and his records are all from Operas. Ronny is all about Opera. Loretta, played by Cher, and Ronny, attend the Opera at Lincoln Center. Loretta looks gorgeous in a lovely dress and her hair is beautifully coiffed. Ronny is handsomely attired in a tux. They watch Puccini's "La Boheme." Mimi, the female lead in the Opera, shows her resignation for her love of Rudolfo which echoes Loretta's feelings for Ronny and her pending marriage to his brother, Johnny, whom she does not love. There is no doubt which man Loretta really wants. Loretta sheds tears for Mimi who dies. But Loretta does not die. She lives to love, and love she does.The music is magnificent in this film; it is Puccini's music. A couple of scenes wherein the Twin Towers appear are at once beautiful and painful to see.Cher received an Oscar for Best Actress in this film, and Olympia Dukakis received an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. The entire cast was superb.This film is one of the best rom-coms made, if not the best.Finally, we taught one of the Cammareri girls at the high school where I taught Latin.

The pix shows the dvd cover (with Nick Cage) I just received - it is exactly like the one I had for 8 years - given to me as a gift & recently gave as a gift. It is not the one I see pictured in my ORDERS file, nor by Amazon here, nor like the ones pictured to order. It has a plastic wrappend set of recipee cards inside - instead of the original booklet with a pix of the family all posed with their eyes rolled up. Otherwise it plays perfectly & has all the extras.I am Norwegian-German-French-Scotch-Irish-Chinese-Lenny Lanape (Manhattan) Native American & grew up in a second generation Italian family of 10. I am the oldest & am their half brother - no italian in my blood but it is in my soul - except no opera. Moonstruck is quite authentic (from my childhood 1950s memories) in its Italian family portrayal & the woman who coached them & played a part (Rita) even looks almost identical to one of the local (Altoona,Pa.) Italian women I recall. The portrayal is idealized & dramatized but is true to life otherwise. But it is all gone now. So Moonstruck is a real treasure in more ways than just one of the best movies ever made.I do not recall any of the foods featured in the extras or in the recipee cards (they seem quite good), but my (biological) mother & our aunts always cooked all the traditional & best Italian foods at the time - no pizza. Pizza first appeared with Pal-Mino's little hole-in-the-wall place in the early 1960s. Aunt Mary lived across from Olivo's Italian restaurant & was their cook. I had a first cousin Johnny & an uncle Ronnie.

OMG! One of my favorite movies ever! I finally bought it by streaming it so I could have it handy any time. I was only going to watch a bit of it the other night and ended up watching it all over again and having the best time! They are all so incredibly good but watch for the old grandfather. He is the best. I saw an extended version once where they were telling all about the making of the movie and they said he stole every scene he was in. And he isn't even Italian, I think he's Russian! Just an amazing movie, Cher looks gorgeous and I could just go on and on.

I am NOT a fan of romantic comedies, except when it comes to Moonstruck: a real film with real actors. It isn't hokey, corny, predictable, or forced like standard Hollywood Rom Com fare, which so obviously tries to manipulate the audience into 'feeling' something. I began to ride the fence about Nicolas Cage's acting in later years. But his performance here has the perfect blend of quirky comedy and pathos. I fell in love with his character myself. He was so real and so regular. Olympia Dukakis is wonderful as always, as are Vincent Gardenia and Julie Bovasso, who was brilliant, even in this small role. This classic will always be a favorite of mine.

I have ordered this on two occasions and each time the DVD inside has been of DAVE - a good movie but not what I wanted. The second order I complained about and had a refund. That is OK but I would love to have moonstruck as it was a great movie which I would love to see again but feel there is no point in ordering again. However the service on delivery and packing was well up to standard

Love this film. So ordered thus Blue-ray to be backup for the DVD we’ve nearly worn out by constantly watching it. What’s so good about it? …Everything, … acting, storyline, music, it’s got a feel good factor that’s utterly amazing.

One approaches "star vehicles" with caution, and Cher is so wildly unpredictable that caution is sometimes needed, but here, throw caution to the wind: "Moonstruck" is one of the most delightful, beguiling comedies you will ever see. It is a wonderful example of ensemble acting, with the principal characters working superbly together to reinforce the warmth and comedy. Cher and Dukakis turn in superb performances as daughter and mother, Dukakis giving a beautifully modulated, controlled rendition. Cher is a revelation, both visually and dramatically. If all you have seen of Cage is the appalling "Leaving Los Vegas" or the travesty that was "Captain Corelli's Mandolin", forget them and see him play an operatic character, the baker who loves Puccini and who lives his life like a character from grand opera. There are some delightful moments when the script matches the operatic soundtrack -- "Your tiny hand is frozen" is a hoot -- and some of Dukakis's acid comments to Cher are beautifully timed, delivered dead-pan, and immensely effective. The Italian food which features heavily in almost every scene will make your mouth water: it is impossible to watch Dukakis cooking breakfast without wishing for a place at her table. This is the movie to put in your DVD player on a wet Sunday afternoon, grab some chocolates and a cashmere blanket, sit back, and enjoy!

This is one of those films to watch over and over again.A real gem of a movie, with some great lines and dry humour. Great characters.Brilliant sound track too.

Loved this film, used to have it on video a long time ago, I missed seeing it so got it on dvd, what I like most about this Rom com is that it’s humour with not too schmaltz