Moonstruck
Directed by Norman Jewison
- comedy
- drama
- romance
The story
37-year-old Italian-American widow Loretta Castorini believes she is unlucky in love, and so accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Johnny, even though she doesn't love him. When she meets his estranged younger brother Ronny, an emotional and passionate man, she finds herself drawn to him. She tries to resist, but Ronny, who blames his brother for the loss of his hand, has no scruples about aggressively pursuing her while Johnny is out of the country. As Loretta falls for Ronny, she learns that she's not the only one in her family with a secret romance.
What it’s like
Warm, golden-brown interiors in Brooklyn: a crowded Italian-American kitchen lit by hanging bulbs and the glow of a full moon through tall windows, with a deep red and amber palette that makes every room feel close and lived-in. Jewison frames his characters in comfortable medium shots and two-shots that let the dialogue breathe, and the opera sequences swell into lush, theatrical color that contrasts with the everyday street scenes of snow, steam and slush. Sound is full and chattery: overlapping family voices, clinking dishes, a lively Puccini-heavy score. Its vibe is romantic and bawdy, cozy with a dash of mischief, the kind of comfort movie for a rainy weekend, a dinner party with friends, or a laugh-out-loud rewatch. The pacing is brisk and playful, and the emotional register swings between wry teasing and tender sincerity as a superstitious, guarded woman lets herself be surprised by passion and an unexpected man. Intensity is low: some sexual innuendo and frank adult talk, a brief bit of physical scuffling, no gore and nothing frightening. It suits anyone wanting a gentle, funny, romantic film about love arriving late and loudly, especially fans of ensemble family comedies and Italian-American warmth.
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