Moonstruck

Moonstruck is currently streaming in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the US on TCM, and it delivers exactly the kind of comedy that earns a loyal following. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. 1,113 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Cher's performance alone is worth the time investment. Put it on tonight on BINGE and see for yourself.

Moonstruck arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The jokes in Moonstruck land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. 37-year-old Italian-American widow Loretta Castorini believes she is unlucky in love, and so accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Johnny, even though she doesn't love him. When she meets his estranged younger brother Ronny, an emotional and passionate man, she finds herself drawn to him. She tries to resist, but Ronny, who blames his brother for the loss of his hand, has no scruples about aggressively pursuing her while Johnny is out of the country. Cher and Nicolas Cage lead a cast that never overplays a joke. It hit screens in 1987. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and Moonstruck holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Moonstruck is the kind of thing you put on in the background and end up fully watching. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Cher is funny in a way that holds up on rewatch. Put it on when you need something guaranteed to land.