Introduction
The nature of interpersonal relationships is never simple and characterized by multiple and diverse perspectives, attitudes, and outcomes. Norman Jewison, a director of the romantic comedy Moonstruck, shares his vision of how a man and a woman can live and coexist in this world. There are many interesting topics raised in his work, including family, generation differences, finances, and the power of superstition. However, Jewison’s decision to introduce several couples with their problems and beliefs contributes to the creation of a weird yet realistic guide to men-women affairs.
This paper will pay attention to the most successful director’s strategies, including metaphoric and sometimes ironic dialogues, a perfectly chosen cast, and specific comparison lines. Moonstruck is a movie that describes the relationships between a man and a woman through the prism of generations, circumstances, and symbols that fulfill human life.
Exploring Love Across Generations in Moonstruck
One of the strongest elements in Moonstruck is the intention to prove how to interpret love and relationships through different generations. The director chooses a perfect cast for the film to achieve his purpose and underline the uniqueness of passion, trust, and devotion.
Loretta Castorini, performed by Cher, and Ronny Cammareri, performed by Nicolas Cage, are young people whose uncontrolled and beautiful desires are in their initial stages. They believe love “doesn’t make things nice; it ruins everything. It breaks your heart. It makes things a mess” (Moonstruck). They are ready to make mistakes and learn from them to test their feelings and beliefs.
Rose and Cosmo Catorini, performed by Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia, introduces a couple whose relationships are stuck and deteriorate with time. They fear this “life is built on nothing,” but they forget the worth of love in their relationships and need a reminder (Moonstruck). The movie teaches that instead of focusing on something destructive and challenging, it is time to enjoy the moment and admire what has been achieved.
Revealing Human Desire Through Thought-Provoking Dialogue
Another effective strategy Jewison uses to describe a diversity of loving affairs is a variety of interesting dialogues. For example, Rose believes that all men “fear death;” she asks Johnny Cammareri why men chase women and get the answer from the Bible (Moonstruck). Men are obsessed with a wish to get their rib (of which a woman was created) back because, at the moment, “a man isn’t complete as a man without a woman” (Moonstruck).
Perry, a frivolous man, chooses another answer to the same question and explains this desire as “nerves” and a possibility to find a woman and see himself “the way I always want to be” (Moonstruck). All these ideas have a point, and the choice depends on circumstances, the already gained experience, and personal attitudes toward life, obligations, and needs. This film contains similar dialogues that help reveal the truth about the place of feelings in human relationships.
Symbolism of the Moon, Mirror, and House in Depicting Relationships
Finally, in the light of vivid dialogues and an incredible cast, the impact of symbols that depict the connection between a man and a woman cannot be diminished. The movie has three significant symbols: the moon, a mirror, and the house. Perry mentions “moonlight” as a “fresh and bright and full of promise” opportunity (Moonstruck). For Rita and Raymond Cappomagi, the moon is a chance to see themselves younger and feel the passion they have already forgotten. Loretta is charmed by the moon and her ability to observe it from a new side when she is in love.
The mirror appears two times: when Loretta talks to her mother, and her image remains unclear as if she cannot describe herself in the world, and when she tries new clothes and enjoys the view. The mirror reflects people as they see themselves and accept who they are. The house may also be interpreted as a symbol of human relationships and family ties. It is a place where there is no need to wear masks, hide feelings, and lie. All these symbols complement the idea of a strong men-women connection.
Conclusion
In this analysis, the concept of human relationships and loving affairs, in particular, has been adequately identified. It is hard to imagine that a single movie could display such a fantastic diversity of feelings and emotions. The director applies several strategies to deliver his message and turn a romantic comedy into a solid guide on love, passion, and trust for people of all ages. Jewison invites Hollywood stars, develops provocative dialogues, raises interesting themes, and adds several symbols to make people recognize what they need the most.
Some viewers will use Moonstruck to restore their relationships, while others consider it an inexhaustible hope for a better, full-of-love future. People create families for different purposes, but one truth cannot be ignored: a need to be not alone. In this way, all explanations mentioned in the movie about why men chase women, why women do not always see their reflections, or what fears people have are successful. They help us understand that having an unpredictable life with people who make mistakes but know how to achieve the desired goal is normal and even beneficial.
Work Cited
Moonstruck. Directed by Norman Jewison, performance by Cher and Nicolas Cage, MGM/UA Communications Co, 1987.