Moonstruck And Real Pain Two Movies For This Week

Moonstruck

The full moon emotionally affects a community of Italian-Americans in New York, including a 40-something woman who falls in love with her fiancé's brother. This is a heartfelt romantic comedy and, at the same time, an ode to family. Released in 1987, the film stars Cher, Nicolas Cage, and Olympia Dukakis.

Both actresses won Oscars for their performances, as did the film's screenwriter. The movie leans heavily on its supporting characters, and rightly so, placing the Italian family at its core. With a theatrical flair, it offers a beautifully written screenplay, where the central characters are far from perfect, showcasing flaws that make them relatable to the audience.

The Italian temperament adds charm, while the cinematography brings a pleasant tone to the film. However, the one element that didn’t sit well with me was Nicolas Cage. His performance didn’t convince me, and I didn’t detect much chemistry between him and Cher.

While I can't say the film left me deeply impressed, it did manage to keep me engaged from start to finish, wrapping up in a truly lovely way. That’s something I have to give it credit for.

A Real Pain

Flying to Poland after their grandmother’s death, two mismatched cousins see the trip as an opportunity to explore their roots. Their dive into the past brings the family’s tumultuous history to light and reignites their hilariously tragic personality clashes. Winner of the Screenwriting Award at the Sundance Festival. Is it worth your attention? Pretty good, but not mind-blowing…

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• It has a simplicity and directness in its approach that draws you in as a viewer.

• Kieran Culkin delivers an outstanding performance, and I believe he’s a strong contender for an Oscar nomination this year.

• Jessie Eisenberg is good, but he seems to fade a bit next to Culkin.

• A big highlight for me is their on-screen chemistry and interaction, which is so well-developed. Simply delightful.

• If you enjoy road movies with a healthy dose of tenderness (without forcing emotions), you’ll love this. It’s one of those films I’d call a crowd pleaser.
  It leans heavily on emotional appeal.
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• It tries to convey its message (no spoilers), but I was left questioning whether it did so effectively.

• There’s no further development of the supporting characters, making them feel decorative and, at times, boring.

• The setting of Poland and the genocide, while understandable, doesn’t seem like the most ideal backdrop for the story’s progression.

• Eisenberg, who both wrote and directed the film while starring in it, doesn’t seem to have as firm a grip on directing as he does on writing.