Moonstruck
★★★
I revisited Moonstruck, and I must confess, I'm feeling a tad perplexed. This film, with its unabashed adoration for romance, insists that love conquers all. Yet, as I watched, I found myself questioning the overwhelming praise it garnered upon its release. Don't get me wrong, it's impeccably crafted with solid performances, but it somehow didn't tug at my heartstrings the way I expected, especially for a movie adorned with six Oscar nominations.
I reckon a big part of my lukewarm feelings towards this romantic tale is rooted in culture. You see, I haven't exactly clocked in much time in New York City or the Northeast in general. So, a lot of the laughs and nuances seemed to slip past me, lost in the shuffle of unfamiliar neighborhoods, quaint restaurants and the intricacies of the Italian family dynamics. Director Norman Jewison adeptly immerses audiences in this world and it was a joy to see a young Nicolas Cage and the ever-talented Danny Aiello grace the screen. As for Cher, well, her performance was commendable, but Oscar-worthy? Her appeal has always been a bit of a mystery to me, perhaps a testament to the generation gap. There's this one scene where she emerges all dolled up for the opera, and while I know I was supposed to be swept away, I couldn't help but feel... nothing.
The true gems of Moonstruck are undoubtedly its elder cast members. Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis, Julie Bovasso, John Mahoney, Louis Guss, Feodor Chaliapin Jr.—they steal the spotlight effortlessly. Their narratives, exploring the complexities of love's journey, resonated with me far more deeply than the central romance between Loretta and Ronny. I do appreciate the film's attempt to portray love as the work in progress it truly is, with its ebbs and flows. But I couldn't shake off the discomfort at how infidelity seemed almost trivialized, brushed under the rug with ease.
As much as "Moonstruck" strives for magic and whimsy, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was watching an '80s sitcom about love rather than a cinematic masterpiece. Sure, there were moments of poignant beauty, but there were others where I half-expected a laugh track to chime in. Perhaps I'm just not the target audience for this film, and that's okay. I wouldn't fault anyone if they held it dear as one of their favorite rom-coms. In fact, I welcome the chance for others to shed light on what I might have missed.
