One of the big surprise hits of the 1987 Oscars was an American romantic comedy called Moonstruck — directed by Norman Jewison and starring Danny Aiello, Nicolas Cage, Olympia Dukakis, and Cher. It was nominated for six Academy Awards and won three: Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Olympia Dukakis), and Best Actress (Cher).
The score was by Dick Hyman, and it told the story by using both Italian opera and Italian-American popular songs by the likes of Dean Martin and Jerry Vale.
An important part of the plot takes place when Cher's character (Loretta) meets Ronnie (her boyfriend's brother) at Lincoln Center to see La Boheme. It's Loretta's first opera ever and she falls in love with it.
Bits of the opera are interwoven into the film score, and this week on Flicks in Five, we'll hear "Musetta's Waltz."
Moonstruck — Official Trailer
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