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.

Under the magic of the full moon, an Italian-American family tries to sort out their romantic entanglements and find happiness.
Tired of being single, and longing for security, widow Loretta Castorini agrees to marry Johnny Cammareri, a man she admittedly doesn't love. While he visits his dying mother in Sicily, she visits his estranged brother Ronny in order to invite him to the wedding, and, much to her surprise, finds herself deeply attracted to him. Loretta's parents have equally complex romantic lives; her father is involved in a long-term affair, while her mother is avidly pursued by a college professor.
Will they all be able to take a chance on love again?

Olympia Dukakis was named Best Supporting Actress of 1987 by the National Board of Review.

Actress Julie Bovasso, who played Rita, also served as dialogue coach.

Estimated budget $14 million.

Filmed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and New York City, New York. Shot in Technicolor and Medallion. Titles by Theo Dimson Design; opticals by Film Effects. Original aspect ratio 1.85.

Screened at the 1988 Berlin Film Festival in February.

Released in New York City, Los Angeles, and Toronto December 16, 1987. Released in USA February 5, 1988. Released on video August 30, 1988.

Reviewed in the New York Times December 16, 1987, and Monthly Film Bulletin April 1988.

Rated BBFC PG by the British Board of Film Classification.

In his 1995 memoir, "My American Journey," General Colin Powell lists "Moonstruck" as one of his favorite films.

DVD Special Features: Feature Length Commentary by Norman Jewison, Dolby Digital 5.1 Soundtrack, 8-Page Trivia Booklet, Theatrical Trailer.

DVD Features:

Region 1
NTSC
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround Sound - French, Spanish
Subtitles - English, French, Spanish - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes: "Music of MOONSTRUCK"
Audio Commentaries - Cher - Star; Norman Jewison - Director; John Pat - Writer
Documentaries - "MOONSTRUCK: At the Heart of an Italian Family"
Featurettes - "Pasta to Pastries: The Art of Fine Italian Food"

Distributor Notes: Fall under the delightful spell of Moonstruck, the mesmerizing romantic comedy from director Norman Jewison (Fiddler on the Roof) and Oscar® winner* John Patrick Shanley. Academy Award® winners** Cher, Nicolas Cage and Olympia Dukakis excel in this explosively funny tale which also features flawless performances by Danny Aiello, Vincent Gardenia and Frasier's John Mahoney. Cher is "devastatingly funny, sinuous and beautiful" (Pauline Kael) as Loretta, an unlucky in love Italian widow who finds romance through the intervention of the Manhattan moon. With her wedding to a close friend just weeks away, she meets and falls hopelessly in love with his younger brother (Cage)! Her dilemma and her equally passionate and hilariously eccentric family make for an unforgettable film you'll find "beguiling" (Time), "enchanting" (Newsweek) and "irresistible" ("Today Show").

Source: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

 Cher: Oscar Winning Music Performer/Actress, MOONSTRUCK
Nicolas Cage: American Actor
Olympia Dukakis: Oscar Winning American actress, MOONSTRUCK, STEEL MAGNOLIAS
Vincent Gardenia: American TV/Film Actor
Danny Aiello: American Actor
Julie Bovasso: Actress

Norman Jewison: Director/producer

Patrick Palmer: American Producer/Second Unit Director
Norman Jewison: Director/producer

John Patrick Shanley: Screenwriter/Playwright

Dick Hyman: Composer/"Moonstruck"

Lou Lombardo: Editor/Producer/Director

"...Cher and Nicolas Cage are both solid and appealing....[The film has] an endearing spirit..."
"Cher was at her Oscar-winning best as an Italian-American widow resigned to a sensible second marriage, who ends up falling hard for her fiance's pointedly unsensible brother." -- Grade: B+
"...Proof that Cher has evolved into the kind of large-than-life movie star who's worth watching whatever she does..."
"...MOONSTRUCK is such nourishing comedy. It satisfies every hunger..."
"...A romantic comedy founded on emotional abandon and poignant truth..."
"MOONSTRUCK is a charming film in which a mischievous moon enlightens the lives of many in New York City's Little Italy district."