When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie it can mean only one thing. You've got an Italian family comedy here that's bigger on strained relationships than humor, but the patchwork nature of it all makes it a worthwhile viewing experience. The picture earned Oscars for Cher (Best Actress) and Olympia Dukakis (Best Supporting Actress), and a Best Screenplay for John Patrick Shanley, but if there had been an award for ensemble acting back then, it probably would have captured that one as well.
Not having seen this one before, I was taken aback somewhat by the first appearance of Nicolas Cage. He was gaunt with sunken cheeks that made him look almost undernourished. His unkempt look and unshaven face added to an awkward presence opposite Cher, who's character starting out was intended to be somewhat understated. Both blossomed in time for their first actual date at the Metropolitan Opera, but by then they had already fallen into bed under rather tense consequences. Loretta (Cher) had just gotten engaged to Ronny's (Cage) older brother (Danny Aiello), leaving you to wonder how the rest of the story was going to play out.
Nor was Cher the only one exploring romantic prospects in the story. Both of Loretta's parents (Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis) dabble in extra-marital affairs to varying degrees (innocent in her Mom's case), and when her grandfather (Feodor Chaliapin Jr.) inadvertently spots Mother Castorini walking arm in arm with a dinner partner, it leads to an eminently quotable "I'm confused" when all the parties gather at the family table.
I have to admit, I debated watching this movie for a long time because romance films are not high on my priority list, but now that I've seen it, I would recommend it for the excellence of the cast and the engaging story. And if you're an old timer like me, the sound of Dean Martin's voice singing that 'Amore' song will revive fond memories of an earlier era that seemed far simpler than today.
Not having seen this one before, I was taken aback somewhat by the first appearance of Nicolas Cage. He was gaunt with sunken cheeks that made him look almost undernourished. His unkempt look and unshaven face added to an awkward presence opposite Cher, who's character starting out was intended to be somewhat understated. Both blossomed in time for their first actual date at the Metropolitan Opera, but by then they had already fallen into bed under rather tense consequences. Loretta (Cher) had just gotten engaged to Ronny's (Cage) older brother (Danny Aiello), leaving you to wonder how the rest of the story was going to play out.
Nor was Cher the only one exploring romantic prospects in the story. Both of Loretta's parents (Vincent Gardenia, Olympia Dukakis) dabble in extra-marital affairs to varying degrees (innocent in her Mom's case), and when her grandfather (Feodor Chaliapin Jr.) inadvertently spots Mother Castorini walking arm in arm with a dinner partner, it leads to an eminently quotable "I'm confused" when all the parties gather at the family table.
I have to admit, I debated watching this movie for a long time because romance films are not high on my priority list, but now that I've seen it, I would recommend it for the excellence of the cast and the engaging story. And if you're an old timer like me, the sound of Dean Martin's voice singing that 'Amore' song will revive fond memories of an earlier era that seemed far simpler than today.