Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3594 in DVD
• Released on: 2000-04-24
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English, Italian
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 162 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Remember the outfit Cher wore to the Oscars when she won an Academy Award for her performance in this 1987 film? Ay-yi-yi. The actress' more retiring character in this infectious comedy leaps several psychological hurdles just giving her hair a permanent. But then the original screenplay of Moonstruck, by John Patrick Shanley (Joe Versus the Volcano), is a wonderful, gently satirical tale of an Italian-American family dealing with repression and dissatisfaction against a backdrop of cultural expectations. Cher is focused and funny as a widow who feels she should marry an older fellow (Danny Aiello), but then falls for his black-sheep brother (Nicolas Cage). Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia are perfect as her parents, and John Mahoney (of TV's Frasier) has a memorable, small role as a middle-aged man on the make who gets a lecture from Dukakis's character. Shanley's dialogue is comically stylised in a way that makes one appreciate how much words can inform an actor's performance. Taking its cues from him and director Norman Jewison (And Justice for All), the cast immerse themselves in a pool of hilariously operatic emotion. --Tom Keogh

Special Features
1.85 Wide Screen
16:9 Wide Screen
DVD 5
French\German\Italian\Spanish
English\German
English
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English\Stereo French Italian Spanish\Mono German
Dolby Digital 5.1
Stereo
Mono
Commentary By Cast And Crew
8 Page Film Guide
Original Theatrical Trailer
Interactive Menu
Chapter Search
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\French\Norwegian\Polish\Portuguese\Swedish

Synopsis
In this glowingly atmospheric comedy, a young Italian-American woman, bitter after having been widowed by a speeding bus, makes a practical decision to marry a longtime friend for stability and security, even though her feelings for him are tepid at best. But when she falls in love with her fiance's estranged one-handed younger brother, screwball sparks fly. Great, subtle performances and a warm regard for the film's Bronx milieu highlight the film. Academy Award Nominations: 6, including Best Picture, Best Director. Academy Awards: 3, including Best Actress--Cher, Best Supporting Actress--Olympia Dukakis, and Best Original Screenplay.

Customer Reviews

A warm, beguiling comedy, with great acting
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!

A simple story but wonderfully warm and enjoyable.
Jewison and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley have done in this picture for New York Italian-American families what Woody Allen has previously done for their Jewish counterparts in numerous of his earlier films. The result is a simple story, but wonderfully warm and enjoyable, with a deliciously funny script and top-rate performances from all of its stars, especially the dual Oscar winners, Cher and Dukakis, and from Vincent Gardenia, himself nominated as supporting actor. Cher, in particular, after her very serious roles and solemn performances in such films as "Silkwood" and "Mask", shows she has a genuine gift for character comedy and is a perfect foil to Cage who once again belies his physical appearance with a portrayal which exudes rugged magneticism and charm through a rough-edged exterior. Shanley's script is a delight throughout and the experienced Jewison directs both it and all his players (including those in the subsidiary roles) with panache and a knowing eye, thereby adding romantic comedies to the list of film genres which has been graced by his shrewd and versatile direction. This is certainly a movie which can be watched and immensely enjoyed time and time again.

You'll soon be Moonstruck too!
The basic story has been told a thousand times before - girl meets boy, they fall in love, can't be together, end up together. Yet somehow, 'Moonstruck' is a million times better than all of your 'Four Weddings..'. It carries a much more mature tone, and just manages to hit the spot. It involves many sub-plots, which all link into the same theme. It is brilliantly acted, particularly by the oscar-winning Cher, who proves she's an excellent actress in her own right. How this film missed out on 'Best Picture 1987' is beyond me.

Watch it, and be amazed.