Moonstruck (1987 Norman Jewison)

New Yorker of Irish descent John Patrick Shanley writes Italian and won an Oscar. His screenplay is romantic and fantastic (the giant moon), earthy and pragmatic, funny and well observed (e.g. character of grand poppa). I love the couple arguing in the liquor store, and the effect of the moon on aunt and uncle.

Rather more surprising is that Cher pipped the Best Actress Award (it wasn't a great year), less so that Olympia Dukakis won as the mother, though Vincent Gardenia as the cheating father is very good too. With Nicolas Cage, Danny Aiello, Julie Bovasso, Louis Guss, Feodor Chaliapin and - it was after all in his honour - John Mahoney, as a man who's girlfriends are too young - this scene with he and Olympia is sweet and great.

There's also welcome and healthy doses of 'La Bohème' throughout. Oddly it was shot both in NYC and Toronto, where Jewsion was born (the opera house I think a mix of both locales).

Shot by David Watkin and edited by Lou Lombardo.