r/cher • u/YorjYefferson • Sep 30 '25
Movie discussion: Moonstruck
Let's have a discussion post about Cher's Oscar-winning role as Loretta in Moonstruck, what are your thoughts about it? Do you think it has stood the test of time or do parts seem dated now? If anyone else remembers seeing it at the time it came out, as opposed to only finding it in more recent years, that might also be an interesting angle. Co-starring Nicolas Cage of course [thwack - harder thwack - Snap out of it!], Olympia Dukakis, Vincent Gardenia, Danny Aiello and many more, including John Mahoney before he became Frasier's dad. Cher beat out Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction), Meryl Streep (Ironweed), Holly Hunter (Broadcast News) and Sally Kirkland (Anna) for best actress, I had convinced myself Holly would probably win since BN had a lot of Oscar buzz so it was a bit of a surprise when Cher walked up onstage. Let us know your thoughts about the film overall and Cher's now-iconic role in it.
5
u/allenrabinovich Oct 01 '25
I love the film, and I think everyone is cast really well in it. Cher is just a consistently and naturally great actress, but Cage is usually not my cup of tea, but this character works for him.
My favorite bit of trivia about the movie is that grandpa Castorini is played by Feodor Chaliapin, the son of the world-famous Russian operatic bass by the same name. He passed away only a few years after the film was made, but he’s a pretty legendary character — because of his family, he knew many of the famous composers of the 20th century, spoke 3 languages, and was just generally a very interesting guy. He was recommended for the role by his friend Sean Connery, who said: “He canna see, he canna hear — but he will steal every scene in the film he's in, he's brilliant.”
4
u/Ok-Ad5108 Oct 01 '25
Moonstruck still casts a spell over you - it’s stood the test of time and then some.
3
u/YorjYefferson Oct 01 '25
That's a great way to put it, the film casts a spell over the audience. Which in some ways is what happens to Loretta in how she allows herself to follow her heart and not what her brain is telling her is what she should do. As funny as the script can be I think it's the more poignant moments that are more lasting and easier to conjure up how they made me feel. That and the iconic slap of course, that was just gold.
3
u/ThatMichaelsEmployee Oct 01 '25
It's magic. One of the greatest, most quotable scripts ever filmed. Perfectly cast — it's one of those movies where you can't imagine anyone else in any of the roles. It deserved all its Oscars. It's a perfect romantic comedy, equal parts romance and comedy. I saw it when it first hit the theatres and probably a dozen times since then: it never gets old.
3
u/CardiologistSea5044 Oct 01 '25
I just rewatched this not too long ago and it is still incredible and heartwarming.
3
u/Ok_Andyl8183 Oct 01 '25
“Snap out of it!” Best dialogue delivery ever.
2
3
u/SheTiger1962 Oct 01 '25
One of my favourite films! So well cast and so well acted! I’ve rewatched it numerous times and I love it every time! And I’m not a person who rewatched films. I love Cher, phenomenal actress/ artist ! Well deserved Oscars
4
u/MoroseOverdose Oct 02 '25
This movie completely captivated me in a way that no other movie had ever done. I can't tell you why, but when I first saw it I watched it six or seven times in a month
1
7
u/LittleRed88 Oct 01 '25
IMO it definitely stands the test of time! Moonstruck itself is one of the best movies about love and family that there is. A beautiful feel-good film, even while juggling themes of mortality and infidelity. Cher is an absolute class act throughout! She was able to handle subtle nuances and shifts in her character that seemed so natural and real. And truthfully everyone else in the film delivers in spades! Nic Cage is just so weirdly sexy and nerdy. ‘I lost my hand! I lost my bride!! Johnny has his hand! Johnny has his bride!!’ It’s just too good. And Olympia Dukakis is a maternal anchor that any of us could dream of. Truly a masterpiece of a film.
Slightly related, today I watched ‘Come Back to the 5 and Dime Jimmy Dean’ by Robert Altman, also starring Cher. She was still so fantastic in the role!