--- title: "Moonstruck: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/moonstruck/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/moonstruck" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 6 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Moonstruck (1987): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 6 reviews: 5 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Moonstruck, with praise clustering around John Patrick Shanley’s dialogue and an ensemble that makes the family’s romantic entanglements feel affectionate and credible. Cher draws particular approval, while Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia receive attention for the supporting performances that give the comedy much of its warmth. The reviews also credit Norman Jewison’s direction and timing with keeping the film’s eccentric humour, family tensions and more poignant moments in balance. The spread is largely favourable, with reservations concentrated in a more muted response rather than outright rejection. Time Out finds the observation of Italian-American customs and sexism more persuasive than the romance, and regards Nicolas Cage as less convincing than his fellow performers. The Hollywood Reporter, by contrast, includes Cage among the ensemble’s strengths. The main disagreement is over how convincingly the film handles romantic passion; its dialogue, character detail and family comedy attract broader approval. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 22 June 2003. Ebert praises the film as a romantic comedy grounded in emotional abandon and poignant truth, with a large ensemble of characters whose parallel stories are deftly handled. He singles out the nuanced performances and dialogue that reveal characters open to life's beauty and mystery despite their flaws. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-moonstruck-1987) ## Los Angeles Times — Sheila Benson Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 16 December 1987. Benson calls the film a nourishing and enticing romantic comedy that satisfies hungers for romance, family warmth, and self-knowledge. She singles out the gorgeous, insightful dialogue from writer John Patrick Shanley and the perfect balance with Jewison's direction and timing. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-16-ca-19394-story.html) ## Empire — Angie Errigo Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2011. The critic praises the sparkling, gently peculiar comedy and Norman Jewison’s beautifully made, offbeat tale of amore among an Italian-American family in the throes of mid-life crises. They highlight the rich screenplay, marvellous cast, and especially Cher’s performance as the widowed book-keeper who discovers passion. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/moonstruck-review/) ## Radio Times — John Ferguson Rating 4/5. The critic highlights Cher's Oscar-winning performance that proves her acting ability, along with the warm and affectionate portrayal of Italian-American life by screenwriter John Patrick Shanley. It singles out the supporting turns by Olympia Dukakis and Vincent Gardenia for particular praise, noting the director allows the cast to shine. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-cm6ker/moonstruck/) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1986. The review finds the film a mostly appetizing blend of comedy and drama with snappy dialogue and a wonderful ensemble. It singles out the older lovers, especially Olympia Dukakis's splendidly controlled performance, for giving the picture its endearing spirit. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1986/film/reviews/moonstruck-1200427180/) ## Time Out — BC Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The critic finds the film stronger on social mores than romance, describing it as a half-smile for a summer night. It praises the visual details of Italian-American life and Jewison's gentle mockery of formal traditions and sexism, while noting Nicolas Cage's performance is less convincing than others. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/moonstruck) ## The Hollywood Reporter 9 December 1987. The review delivers a strongly positive verdict on this romantic comedy, calling it a highlight of the holiday season with universal appeal and strong box-office prospects. It singles out John Patrick Shanley's script for bringing the characters vividly to life through distinctive language and praises the ensemble cast, particularly Cher, Olympia Dukakis, and Nicolas Cage. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/moonstruck-review-movie-cher-1987-1235761983/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/moonstruck.md